The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-02-16
PLAN. FOR DoUBLING THE AGoUNR
OF CORN TO EACH PLow HORSE.
From the Columbia Is. @.


Let every farmer proceed ut once to break his
lands intended for corn to the greatest possible
depth. This preparation will be greatly facilita-
ted by the very deep freezing ofthe late cold wea-
ther Immediately before planting introduce
two horse harrow, and continue the operation un-
til the earth is thoroughly pulverized and smooth
as plant bed Then check with q bull tongue
both ways before planting, at distances regulated
in reference 70 the strength Of the land, taking
care that the dropper pursues the farrows first
laid of, instead Of those that cross them, which
will cause the plant to stand in direct line both
ways As soon asthe corn is up, commence plow-
ing with buzzard, or sweep, not less than twen-
ty-two inches in width, constructed as to skin
the surface only an inch deep, aud with two fur
rows to each row. The next time cross pillow with
the same instrument, and so on until the crop has
attained age and size sufficient to peed no further
attention.
ITS ADVANTAGES.
lst Each plow horse can cultivate forty acres
on this plan as easily as twenty in the commorNway,
SIMPLY because two iurrows answer the purpose of
four and the draft is believed TO be lghtened If
ty per cent
I'd. This plan of surface cultivation imposes no
drawback upon the plants from laceration Of
their roots. The light reflected upon this subject
by the science Of vegetable physiology, aud facts
founded on experience OF late years. have onYinc-
much. 1t is through their roots that the plants
obtain their nourshment from the soil, aud hence
1t is that frequent powings that tear away at least
half Of them at each operation, must exert q very
retarding influence their growth and develop
ment. Every observing man has seen very prom
isirg crops almost ruined, especially ut the last
plowing, caused by the destruction of their roots
or feeders at the very time their united contribu-
tions were required to perfect the ear.
2H (Orn fhua cnltiuaiaA n aoil daanl.,
broken will be less injured by drought. Very few
.of the surface roots destroyed, and the plants
obtain the requisite moisture from those that have
penetrated more deeply into the earth, mono OF
which are injured by the surface plow.
4th. A crop thus cultivated attains earlier ma
turity, and exhibits silks and nssels about ten
days earlier than in fields plowed in the usual way.
9TH, The use of the hoe is scarcely required
where the crop is dropped aud planted US directed
9th. From planting time until the crop is ma
tired, no outlay for tho repair OF implements is
required. The sweep or buzzard, the only one
used, acting a soft and well pulVcrized sur
face will last for years.
7th. The crop has a ir:ner fcothold in the soil
and will be- found erect after gales.that PROSTATE
fields where the plow has been used.
adopted the above plan Of cultivating the corn
crop all well broken lands, some ten years since,
and with the most encouraging results all times,
dhu ONSIJ variety VI scaSOuSt uuu Win bCuT-
cely more than half the labor for maH and hofse
required by the common plan Flowing with tho
sweep is SO easily and SO quickly done, anu the
fields so often passed over, that the plowman will
be pleased to discover that instead of killing grass
and weeds, his efforts have efectually prevented
them. .LT-
1t will be objected that tenacious clay lands arc
liable to become too hard This will not happen
if well broken before planting. Heavy rains,
followed by hot sunshine, will bake the surface
and form an-indurated crust. But let any gentle
man commence boring with his finger, as have
often done, and be will discover this crust is sell
dom halt inch thick, whilst all below is in
condition favorable to the O2pknsion of the roots
of plants. SHINING tho surface an inch deep soon
after heavy raiss on such soils, -pulverizes this
crust and imparts to il anew the power of absorb
ing ammonia aud other atmospheric fertilizers, so
exhiarating TO the growing crop
Profoundly impressed with the Importance Of
provision crops the coming year, in the present
condition of our country, have been. induced 10
submit the results of my observations, backed by
series Of we'll tried experiments, TO the eonside-
ration Of The farmers Of the country 1t Is conoe-
led on all sides that there is an alarming deiicen-
cy of horse pswer in all the agricultural Districts,
and hence the necessity Of making that power
available to the fullest extent, in Supplying tho.
wants Of the people. Others will do as they may
think best, but /, heretofore, will continue ~
prove my faith by NY works. .r I
.