Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-30
NO. rs.
sUBSOIL FLOWING.

From the days of Jethro Tull until with
in the last twenty-five or thirty years.
farmers were generally content to stir the
seem aware that a greater depth Of dis
turbance would produce larger and better
results. Indeed, it was generally believed
that the whole matter which went to fer
tilize plants, belonged to the immediate
surface, or that portion known as l0am-a
name given, until very recently. to the
disturbed portion, which, by the combined
influence of sun, air, and decay Of vege-
tation, changes its color.
The fact that the components of the soil
beneath those points were all to be found
as part OF the integrants of plants
was scarcely known and still less
so that they could not be SO alb
sorbed by them. and thus 60 to make up
their structure, until acted on by q series
of influences caused by atmospheric con-
tact and the presence of humidity, not the
result of stagnant water. ssYlta
Liebig first exposed the true value Of
the organic substances of the soil, or those
parts which were not the immediate re-
suit Of plant decay; and farmers slowly
yielded their long cherished belief that the
black portions of the soil alone could make
plants.
These new doctrines gave rise to the
snbsoil plow which without elevating the
subsoil to the surface. disturbed it, and
permitted free circulation of atmosphere
between its particles. The deep cuts
made by the plow also acted partially as
under-drains. and permitted under some
special conditions Of surface-such as the
slope hills, etc.,-redundant water to pass
away. Air necessarily entered, and chem
ical changes occurred; the surface of the
particles of the subsoil were soon condi-
toned so as to sustain, pots, and they
passed into it to greater depths than had
been before known. These, in turn. alb
sorbed from the subsoil larger quantities
Of inorganic matter, rendered soluble by
chemical changes consequent upon moist
ure and air. The constituents were taken
into the plants above, and portions not
marketable as crops, decayed in the upper
soil. adding to the greasy, unctuous. or.
ganic matter new portions of inorganic
food for future crops. Plants had longer
roots as we'll as greater numbers Of fibers.
and larger crops was the consequence.
The decay of these roots in the soil left
tubes to great depths; the atmosphere
could come in laden with gases, resulting
from vegetable decomposition, required
by plants; rains and dews. which wash
the nitrogenous exhalations of all organic
nature from the atmosphere, descended
into the subsoil, which gradually changed
color SO as to make deep loamy soils. in
localities where before only sparse, shall
low rooted crops could be grown.
All this was heard of by the American
farmer long before he was awakened to
action ;sand even now, when ever truly
practical farmer owns subsoil pl0w, he
can tell you Of some neighbor who eau
toned him against its use, and who insist
ed that the deep disturbance of his soil
would let all the manures filter down.
ward; forgetting that, if that were true,
every well would be the receptacle. Of the
results of decay, every spring would be
cesspool, and every rivulet but an organic
charnel house. Nature, in the wisdom of
her laws, has rendered the carbon and
alumina OF the soil. after proper exposure
to atmospheric influences, capable Of re-
cay and the value of farm must to q
its surface by disturbance is rendered ca
pable OF performing this peculiar func-
ton.
AholouShly uuooi-PiOWC0 Aohao SoOkA
become capable of deeper surface plow-
ing, without injuring the crops; and, If
under-d drained, which is but the perfection
of the very principles presented In the
theory of subsoil plowing, then all the me-
chanical conditions necessary for maxi
mum results are secured and when these
exist the chemical conditions follow as a
natural consequence.
Among the advantages arising from
subsoil plowing, may be enumerated the
following the value of land for agricul-
tural purposes is In many instances.
doubled. especially, when substances are
not disturbed too deeply, which might for
time being, be unfriendly to vegetation;
the relative amount of manure required,
as compared with the amount of produce
is lessened; the farm is essentially pro-
tectcd from the effects of drought; all fu.
ture labor of the farm is materially les
sened, and thus the expenses of teams,
the wear and tear of agricultural imple-
ments, are all decreased. while the quail
ty of crops, and their quantity, are so aug
mented that, per bushel or per pound.
they take preference in every market