The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1854-08-17
aritultural.
The Object Of Flowing.

The object of blowing is not fully un-
der.tood and considered by the majority
Of those who perform the work; if it
were. it would be done more faithfully
and thoroughly. 1t is not alone to kI!I
the weeds aud grass, nor even TO tuThiSh
seed-be Of fresh turned soil for pant
lng or sowing-nor anything which 'ooAS
merely to the inversion OF the SOU
which constitutes good plowing. Large
plows, turning = wide ana ShsHo" IuI-
row. will show a large days 5 Work-out
the work is very impertectIy accomplish
ed when the true object Of farming i,
considered The chief value of plowing
is the preparation it gives the soil for pro-
ducfns vegetation - for giving to the
plants sown or plauted, the elements OF
growth and fruitfulncss. 1t should tho,
roughly pulverise and loosen the texture
of the soil, and thus admit free circu-
lation Of air and moisture, which, by
chemical action, di>intcgrates or breaks
down the stony or mineral portions of the
same, SO that they may be more readily
dissolved and taken up by the roots.
In a soil thus plowcd-thus prepared
for yielding its support to vegetable life
plants can appropriate from far and
near, the nutriment needed for their
growth. 1t Is dissol7ed and ready for
their use-not hidden in unbroken clods
or cilmbering in an undisturbed sub-soii
but awaits their action in a friable and
pcnctrable state, where every hungry
rootlet, sent out to gather nourishment for
Its parent plant, may find and appropriate
it. 1t is trul y wonderful how full Of mi
mute roots the soil Of a corn field becomes,
and if that soil is fine and deep, the
deeper and closer together will the fbres
permoate and intcrsect it, This is true
of ali other crops, and while the leaves
and frait depend so intimately on the
rigor and extent of the roots, these facts
should always be taken into considera-
ton among the objects of blowing.
Fineness aud depth of soil are requi-
site in order to receive the full benefit o!
the manures applied. 1t is not fertilizing
food IL its crude state which assists veg
etation-it must first become intimately
mixed With, or part Of the soil. Barn
yard manure especially, seems of little
worth, while forming visible layers be-
tween the clods Of a half p'owe3 soil,
is often dry and c01rsc-aL3 rather sLul-
ned tlan sought by the roots sent olt to
forage tor suitable foot. II q Well pre-
pared soil has any strength and virtue, it
viii yield 1t readily; and poor land in
good tilth is often more productive than
better soils less perfectly prepared, The
influence Of air and moisture, have free
dom to work, and they are no laggards IN
gathering means to supply the wants o.
vegetation.
With these hints on the objects o!
blowing We might connect others on the
process-thc best means Of accomplishing
that object-but prefer to leave it fog
other pens. VIII our practical farmers,
who have thought and experimental upon
the subject, tell Us what p}ow, and what
depth and width of furrow, taking also,
season, team, and time into consideration.
most thoroughly looseus, pulycr.zcs, and
Inyerts the soil This information would
lie Of much value TO every farmer, and Is
,,pecil.ly needed il tae present state OF
agricultural progress - for taking the
country at large into account, Plowing j.
more impcrfcctly performed than any
other mart of f9rfD In ministry