The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-04-26

4 ~ WOulu Dc, cOulu III eXpdnu laterally. .
As soon US the frost is all out Of the
ground, If the soil is plowed, or spaded-ii
IL is not very wet-it will not turn up in
clods, but will fall TO pieces, almost like a
lump Of lime when Stacking. But, after the
soil has settled back to its original position
If il is too wet, or too dry, it will turn up in
clods and Jumps. This prepares the way
for pcnning few ideas with reference to
PLo,ciag the Soil.
Some soils may be plowed when they are
quite wet. and not become crusted over by
drying in the sun; while some Others, even
in the same field, IL plowed or spaded, or
worked in any other way; when little wet,
and sometimes even when too dry, will be all
clods and lumpy. When our calcareous,
clayey soils are IplOwed, when little too
wet. although they may appear to be well
pulyerized, they will often settle together
like mortar. and become as bard as beat
en- path. OF course, we cannot reasonably
expect that 4 soil in such condition, will
produce bountilul crop of anything.
Therefore we need TO exercise vast deal OF
judgment with reference to plowing GER
tain kind Of soil, at the very best time for
efFecting its most thorough and permanent
pulyeriEatiOn.
My own practice always has been, to ex-
anime every part Of the field that is to be
plowed fora spring crop, and mark out the
lands through the entire crowd. Now,
there may be land OF two, which, il plow-
Ell little too wet. will bake; and IL delayed
one day too long, it will be little too dry,
and will be nothing but a lot of Jumps but
il plowed when il is just dry enough, it will
remain friable and mellow for long period
of time, even il we have too much rain or
not quite enough after plowing and seeding.
When we find that such soils are in just the
best condition to plow up mellow and iriable
no time should be lost in plowing it; and
in getting in the seed. When we get an
acre or two of such land well plowed, and
il is mellow; and in fine condition for being
narrowed, and for receiving the grain: have
always considered il matter Of good econ
omy to put in the grain without waiting to
finish plowing the entire field before seeding
any Of il. Sometimes, we are accustomed
10 have heavy rains, which will keep the
soil ~ wet for a week or more, that il is not
proper TO touch il; and l think every good
farmer will agree with me, that when soil
plows up Just right, there will be no better
time for the seed to yegetate and flourish well
than as soon as the ground is plOwed.
know il is not always as convenient to
sow only part Of field before il is all
plowed, as it is to have the whole field
ready to sow at onc,. But when we have
unusual seasons, it will be far better Tor the
soil, and we shall raise much better crops,
by endeayoring to plow all soils that are
disposed to bake, or TO be lumpy, at the
time when they will plow up very friable
and mellow; and to get in tho seed before
any rain falls, as soon US possible after plOw-
ing.
When the soil is Just moist enough TO
crumble fine, and not 80 dry that it comes
up in clods or Jumps, a man with u spade,
or with u plow, will perform many times
more than twice Us much with the same
force that he will DO able to do when the
soil is little too wet or little too dry.
When the soil crumbles readily, a laborer
may take spade full six inches wide, with
about the same strength that would be re-
duired to pulverize large spadeiul than a
small one. And so with plOughing; II the
soil is in the best condition for pulyerizing
most efIectually, the plow may cut furrow
one foot, or perhaps more in width, and pull
yerize il most thoroughly whereas, IL the
same soil were little too dry, it might be
necessary to adjust the plow to cut only five
or six inches in width; and even then it
might require more force Of the team to per-
form half as much, and not do it as well us
il might or ought to be done.
In case farmer has moreof such soil than
can be plowed just when it ought to
be, he must do the best he is able with what
forces are at his command; and though we
may not always be able to plow an entire
feld at the most proper time, parts OF fields,
gardens. plats Of ground for roots, or such
like crops, may be prepared at the most
proper period, and thus facilitate the labor
OF after cultivation, and increase the amount
Of whatever crop is grown on the soil.
Some farmers never appear to think that
il makes any perceptible difference at what
time the narrowing is done; and 81 they
start the harrow just When II suits their con-
yenience best. always aim to harrow a
piece Of ground when il will pulyerize II
most, andb be most effective in leyeling the
surface and burying the grain. If piece
Of ground were plOwed when il was little
too dry, and there are lots Of Jumps and
elods, by narrowing il after a good shower
OF rain has fallen as soon as il Is dry enough
the soil may be almost as well pulyerized as
il would have been had il been plowed Mt
the best time to crumble well.
All this may appear uncalled for, and en-
tirely supcrfluous to many farmers; and it
Is not denied that il Is - to thOse who never
had any experience in managing compact
and calcarcous soils; but, experience teaches
us the Importance OF ayailing ourselves ol
every possible advantage, when working
such soils, in order to have them iriable and
mellow. - that any crop which may be
raised, may not suffer IN consequence OF in
iudicious management in pulyerizing the
soil and IN fitting them Tor theseed.
Besides plowing and narrowing such tC
prepare them properly for q crop, and tc
effect their more thorough pulyerization, n
is very important to attend TO
, Rolling The Sol.
Farmers generally do not know how much
) they lose by not having good roller fol
doing what neither the plow nor the har,
row can perform. On many 6elds, il is true
a roller will be Of very little, and perhaps
of no advantage at all, 20 far as palyeriza.
ton Of the soil is concerned. Every farme,
{ ought 10 have good roller. If he does no,
!, feel able 10 get one alone, two or three neigh
{ bors might own il together. have a larg,
: double-drum roller, which has done most q