New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-22
DEEP WORKING THE SOIL.

hold il demonstrated that the average value Of
land in tage is pretty accurately measured by the
depth TO which 10 has been thoroughly worked That
is TO say: If farm of one hundred acres, whereof
onehaf has been TILED and which has on that half an
average depth of six inches of thoroughly worked
and puvezed SOIL is worth 500 per so far as it
has been titled and so per acre for the residue--in
ALL S75O0-then the value of that farm would be in
creased to $4,000 if those fifty of tillago were
worked to a depth Of twelve inches $2,5OO II the
depth of soil the portion in taee were increased
to eighteen inches and $4,000 If were still further
increased to two feet And feel confident that no
thrifty, capable farmer can increase his wealth so
fast by buying more land by lending his money or
by investing it i'll mines stocks of any kind as by
increasing the depth Of bis arabic soil. There may
be exceptions founded in location where land Is very
abundant and cheap labor dear and products low
priced; but the general rule remains have stated.
And believe the means are now within reach
whereby most American farmers can enhance tho
value Of their arabic soil TO the extent OF at least
500 per acre at cost Of not more than half that
sum. Undertaking and Subsoiling are each goodin
its place. but have now in mind something differ
ent from these, though it may perhaps be regarded
as an improvement on or perfection of the latter
refer to an improved system of Trench Flowing.
Just before the ground froze up several weeks ago.
ran up one forenoon to Iona CDR Grants slet in the
IIudson to witness the practical working OF two or
three Trenching Pows of the Doctors device on tho
gravey rocky subsoil of that slet The ground had
already been cleared of considerable stones and well
worked to depth Of foot, very nearly; below
which was the subsol just acknowledgements, peb-
bly, aud we'll filled with stones of all sizes from that
of hen's-egg up to that of tea-kettc. The pow-
| men understood their business: but the team two
yoke of oxenl might well have been stronger. The
1 hatta Anel0 tan6tA
working different depths up to fully two feet; but.
though nowise pretty to look at and not well adapted
to standing alone they were admirably calculated TO
! minimize side-draft aud waste Of power by dragging
| on the hard ground beneath them. What they aimed
to do and did, was to combine at moderate cost tho
| benefits Of blowing, subsoiling and trenching, by
loosening pulyerizing and thoroughly mixing the
surface and subsoil that the closest observation
| could not distinguish them from each other. 1 am
confident that this never nearly so well done by
the spade cost of six times that involved in tho
use Of Dr.. Grants implements and process; which, II
the team were increased to eight or horses.
could not exceed $50 per for the most thorough
pulverzation and commingling to depth Of fully
| two feet.
shall rest content with setting forth the results
which saw produced, without attempting to explain
fully the process since am only seeking 10 call the
attention of practical men TO the subject Concede
that for the present only gardens orchards vineyards
nurseries, &C., likely to be thoroughly worked
to any such depth two feet how great must he the
increase of products thus secured That the yield OF
Beets Carrots, &c, would be increased by more than
$50 worth per acre. will hardly be doubted while an
| orchard thus trenched would endure twice as long
as one stranded hard pan that rises to within six
inches of the surface. The best practical farmer
know assured me, three years ago. that he grew
twelve acres of good Cabbage an ordinarily sub
soed field with less than half the fertilizers that he
must have applied had he plowed but six seven
inches; while severe, protraced drouth, that had
stopped the growth of his neighbours truck bad
produced no effect on his.
Unjust improve some other occasion to set forth my
conviction that In precautions climate, subject to
great extremes of flood and drouth, Deep Working Is
of the very highest Importance, and that deepening
our arabic fields will conduce TO the increase of
our National wealth and strength than the purchase
of a hundred Samanas and Warussias. Suffice il for
the present that have ready answer to those who
cay" 1t is very well to talk of Deep-Working; but
who does il Where How is it TO be donei ~ To
these questions / answer. J. DR.. c. w. Grant; q At
Iona 8. BY providing Deep-Working Flows after
his patterns, and improving on them if you can.