The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-06-09
posed to be the eradication Of weeds only
Let us see II this is the case.

Land that has been plowcd, narrowed and
brought so pretty smooth surface, and left
in that condition. soon has crust formed
upon il in consequence Of the evaporation Of
the moisture which il contained. This crust
will vary from u quarter OF an inch to an
inch in thickness. and on some soils becomes
so tenacious that cake Of it several inches
in diameter may be taken up. When land
is in this condition, it is not in proper state
to receive the fertilizing influences which al.
ways surround it, and of which 1t would
avail itself under more favorable circum.
stances. .....
/. II the season is dry one, and show.
ers are few and light, that crust will lead OF
most Of the water into low places, instead OF
receiving it into the soil, as it would If the
surface were light and porous.
9. When in this condition the roots OF
the crop are especially deprived of three
things, viz:
Tho moisture which the rain.water sup
plies,-the ammonia which is carried along
with il, and the heat which the rain.water
contains.
The first is indispensable to plants; the
second is powerful stimulant, as it renders
other matter soluble which feeds the roots ;
and the third supplies bottom heat for
them, which keeps the plants growing when
cold and chilling winds are passing over the
surface. These several advantages are in a
great measure lost by neglectius frequently
to stir the soil.
3. Suppose drought prevails. Will an
unhoed field resist its influences as long as a
field we'll hocd? Nothing like it; because,
when the rain falls, it is mostly led of on
the impcrvious crust, unless it comes in the
character of a storm, and continues for many
hours. IF well hocd, however, the surface
is light, porous, and in condition to be in
fluenced by several causes.
First, by the air. The atmosphere not on
" hangs over our fields, but rests upon the
surface with pressure Of fifteen pounds to
an inch. This air, or atmosphere. is always
filed with water, as may be demonstrated at
noon of any hot day by filling api'cher with
cold water. In few moments the outside
of the pitcher is covered with beautiful trans.
parent drops. Where do they come FROM
why, the pitcher sweats. exclaim several
about the table! But no water passes
through il. certainly, as moisture does
through the pores OF the skin when we sweat
Nor was any water spilled upon the outside
of it, when it was filed, although the drops
have now ,rickled down its sides and wet u
place foot square in the table-cloth. Won
derful! How came il there? No human
eye is keen enough to detect the alchemy Of
the transmutation The pitcher being filed
with cold water, becomes u condenser, and
when the warm air touches il, it, vapor, or
moisture, is condensed and formed into drops
on the outside, and this proves that the air
is full of moisture. Now. in u well cultivat-
ed field, this is precisely the operation of the
air upon it during drought. The surface
Of the soil is ligh, and porous; the air, con-
tanning moisture, rests upon it, and passes
through the loose PARTICLES, until il gets
down where the soil il cooler than itself, and
is then condensed. aud the field is actually
,rdtered in the middle Of III hottest daym ia.
~ This operation is continually going on
through the hot, clear days. In the night,
when the air becomes cooler than tho earth.
the moisture is condensed on the leaves Of
plants, and blades Of grass, aud is called dew.
Some Of this falls to the ground, and is TAX
en- up by the loose soil, other portions are
absorbed by the plants, and tho remainder
goes back into the air by evaporation, when
the solar rays impart their heat to it.
Thus the field Of the careful farmer. which
is nicely hood, is daily watered in the hot
test days by natures own processes, while
that Of the careless farmer is pinched for the
want of moisture, the corn leaves curl, turn
yellow. and lose so much vitality that tho
crop is ruined.
Who will say, then, that hoeing is not
among the most important items OF farm
work IN. T.. Farmer.