American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-09-18
Flowing Heavy Land in Autumn.

THE advantage incident to blowing
heavy land once or twice in autumn often
amounts to as much as would be derived
from light dressing of manure the next
season without blowing the previous au-
tumn. When it is not impracticable for a
farmer to pillow his heavy land the plow-
ing should be done in the fall for planting
and sowing the ensuing spring. The te-
nacity OF the soil may thus be temporarily
broken up by the winter frosts, its parti-
cles more thoroughly separated and the
whole mass reduced to finer filth than
can possibly be effected in any other
manner. There is a still further and i'm
portant advantage from this practice, which
ensues from the attraction existing be-
tween the clay and those gases that are
furnished from the atmosphere, snow,
rains and dews. In consequence of being
thus thrown up and coming in contact
with them, it seizes upon the ammonia
and carbonic and nitric acids which are
in the air, and holds them for the future
use of the crops; while their great affinity
for manures effectually prevents the waste
of such as are in it.
If the land is in sod, the furrow slices
of compact soils should be turned over so
as to lap on the preceding and lie at an
angle of forty-five degrees. This will al
low OF the burrows lying regularly and
S'Suiy, anu II tiio PiopcI poSitiou iOI INC
drainage of the soil, the free circulation
of air, and the most efficient action of
frosts, which in this way have access to
every side of them. Land thus thrown
up is found to be finely pulverized after
the frosts leave it, and it is comparatively
dry and ready for use some time earlier
than such as is not plowed till spring.
For sowing, land plowed IN this manner
requires no additional blowing, but it is
better fitted for the reception of seed than
it can be by any further operation, unless
by slight narrowing, if too rough. The
different kinds of grain, or peas, may be
sown directly upon the surface and COW
cred by the harrow; and, if sown early,
the grass and clover seeds require no COW
ering, but find their best position in the
slight depressions which are everywhere
made by the frost and which the subse-
quent rains and winds ill up and cover
sufficiently to secure certain growth. If
the land has been previously cultivated
mot in-sward), and is designed for plant
ing, stiff clay is sometimes ridged up by
turning double furrow, one on each side
and so close as partially to lapupon a mar
row and unbroken surface, thus leaving
the greatest elevations and depressions
WHICH Can conveniently be made with the
pillow. The frost and air, by this means,
have greater surface 10 act upon than is
afforded by thorough blowing. unless it
be in a firm sod, which maintains its posi-
ton without crumbling. The advantage
of dry surface and early working are
equally secured by this latter method, and,
to prepare for planting, the burrows need
only to be split by running pillow through
their center, when they are ready for the
reception of the seed. But let tillers of
the soil bear in mind that it will be labor
lost to pillow heavy land in which there is
an excess of water. Let wet ground be
drained thoroughly, then fall blowing will
prove to be doubly advantageous 7.
Herald.