Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-10-03
DEEP rs SH.1LLOgy' FLOWING


There is still difference of opinion in
this country as to the policy of deep plow-
ing. The shallow blowing advocates claim
the acquisition TO their ranks of men who
have long advocated deep blowing. We
believe that the difference of opinion, and
the results of experiments, is largely due
to lack OF knowledge as to how and when
deep blowing should be performed. In
England, a Mr.. Evcrshod has been oppos-
ing deeper cultivation OF the soil. Mr..
Mechi thinks he is thereby doing much
harm to the cause Of agricultural progress,
and insists that the present cultivation of
the soil is too shallow. We copy Mr..
Mcchi's interesting article. He says: I
say "soil'' because in Nature it comprises
what we call soil and subsoil. The more
proper definition would be "disturbed and
undsturbed SOIL" Why plants or trees
prefer the upper and disturbed soil is OBJ
vious. Disturb, mrato and manure the
subsoil, and then the plant or tree will
multiply its fibres of roots in that lower
soil, especially as the surface becomes
more heated and dry. l have a striking
proof of this in my yard, where there was a
piggery. l filled up the space some six
feet with ordinary clay soil, and planted on
it some ancubas, laurels, bays, arbor vitses
and box, in order TO hide a stable wall. AL
though the plants were small, their growth
has been so rapid and luxuriant that they
are from ten 10 fifteen feet high, and they
absolutely wedge or press each other with
development which surprises, and also
proves that if the lower soil is both disturb
ed and amply MANFRED, small surface
space is sufficient TO maintain an immense
vegetable growth. They have found in the
deeper soil the needful food in some drop
pings from the ancient piggery. As re-
CARDS the removal or transplanting of fruit
trees, it is only another proof OF the necess-
ity for more deeply disturbing and manur-
ing the soil. By removing them after hav-
ing exhausted their surface food they thus
so to new supply, and prosper according
ly. The removal would not be necessary
if they had an ancient piggery or well ma
nured soil TO feed on deep below the sur
face. Said my bailiff to me this morning,
"Do you know why these cabbages don't
grow as they generally dor" ] said mo"
"Well," he replied, "because we omitted
TO follow the pillow with second one going
some inches deeper. We were busy, and
could not spare the horses, and now the
roots are on the untitled bottom"
The fact is, the plowmen arc always too
glad TO escape subsoiling, because it is
harder work. The loss in crop by late and
shallow blowing is, taking the whole coun-
try, something fearful. The roots of crops
soon strike through the thin furrow-slice
and come on to what call a paved floor
and then the palo and sickly plants give
evidence of their uncomfortable and I'M
profitable condition. Many mangel crop
has failed TO make its appearance, because
the thin furrow slice has been dried
through. We never miss our plant of
mangel, because the soil is deeply double
or trench plowed before winter, and it thus
holds and gives moisture, as we'll as being
good filter in wet weather.
attribute the generally satisfactory APP
pearance ofall my crops 10 very deep cul-
tivation, and l would make it much deep
er had l steam power, keeping, however,
the lower soil still under the older cult
waited surface.
1 consider it both a national misfortune
and disgrace that our general agricultural
pie crust is only as thick as an old family
Bible. 1t ought to be as deep as our tables
are high, and it is so in the case of Mr..
Campbell, of Buscot, who, after draining
four feet deep, cultvates with thirty-horse
power engines thirty-six inches deep.
We are now about TO manure and pillow
our land for transplantng cabbage after
green tares are moved off. After spread
ing twenty loads per acre OF good, rich shed
manure (no rain on it), two horses will be
on the first plow, the second one, without
its breast, following in the track of the first
one, and drawn by four strong horses. That
is the way to grow maximum crops. Drain
ing, where required should precede deep
cultivation.
1t should always be remembered that we
cannot manure the subsoil through the top
soil, for few inches deep of the latter have
the power to arrest and fix a much larger
quantity of manural elements Especially
ammonia, phosphate of lime, and potash)
than is ever applied in ordinary farming.
This is why clover and other deep-rooted
plants can only be grown at long intervals,
for only a very small portion of manurial
elements can pass the surface soil or escape
being fixed by it. The raw and unaitered
appearance of undisturbed soil immediate
ly beneath the plowed land gives unmis'
taxable confirmatory evidence of the fact
stated. Liebig and Way explain tho cause
of this fixing.
1t is therefore quite certain that If we de
sire to manure the subsoil, the manure
La Inl i. In cIaLacil n