Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1880-12-16
---E-----s- 49, -
AGRICULTURAL.
Subsoilins Sometimes PrOhtn'
BILE.

sections, practically abandoned. Al
experienced correspondent of tn
Country Gentleman gives bis view
upon the subject as follows:
Farmers are averse to subsoiling
and there is reason for it. Beside
the extra labor, it is too often so con
Quoted that it hurts the land NOR
than it benefits it. The true Object il
the deeper fning of the soil, the ben
eft Of which no one will dispute. i
gives chance for the roots to extenc
in search of food, it dlsposes more
readily Of rain water when in excess
retaining it where it will be a benefit
in drouth; it lessons the effect of frost
and severe heat, as the roots extend
deeper, and tie soil, by evaporation
is kept cooler in great heat and warm
or in cool weather. There is also less
ice formed, and hence less heavlng Of
the plant. Beside all this, the soil be-
low is aired, and the rains warm and
enrich it, which cannot be done, ex'
eept slightly, in its compact state
The object in subsoiling must be IN
other words, to make of cold dense
soil an approach Of a loan or better
soil. It is an improvement of the
texture, which must be done by me
cha7icsl means and the common rIow
does much to effect this, in our river
and other w.l!.drainel soils, including
particularly sand, where it may be
sunk to it's full extent with h'tl, or
no harm from the und-rscll brought
no, which has al ealv been pretty
we'll operated upon by the warm air
and rain water passing through, car
rying with them soma fertility. The
lower soil is not unfrequsntly better
than the upper.
It is doubtful, therefore, whether
subsoilng can BE- of much if any bene.
fit here, the mechanical condition OF
She ground admitting Of little or nc
Improvement. 1t is somewhat differ
ent with limestone soil which has
greater density. Clay in lis various
forms is most benefited by subsollins
and also hurt by it if the work is done
at an improper time, when the coil
will not allow it. To pillow tho IN
dersoil Of tough CLAW is to give it An
uneven texture, packing and dlsp'"
cling it, condition worse than the
previou, one, and requiring at least a
wear 10 restore it. The soil may be
drv enough to work we'll at the sur
face, and yet be too wet below. But
it NAV also be TOO dry as in drouth
when it is hard and will break IL
Jumps, leaving hollow places. Thus
will add to the force OF the dronth
and hurt the crop then sown, though
it may benefit the land for the nex'
ysar'sc crop. A second p'owins would
have reduced it more, aud | may ven
ture to cay that it is usually Of greate'
benefit than the first; the lirst break
ing without sufficiently fnin9. Per
hans it would be best always to give
two pIow,ngs, as it affords chance
for lossenlng the ground deeper II
addition to the better pulverlzlng O.
what wss previously broken.
This brings us TO the proper condl
ton Of the ground for subsollng
which is when the greatest degree o
mellowness can he obtained. This i
to be a,certained by examining thu
soil, and rrecIules working when 'o'
dry or too wet, particularly the last
Some times we meet with a soil wher
the CLAW and sand are reduced to pow
der, This is rather a heavy soil an'
disp sed to pack, especially the un
disturbed uadersoi, which carries Of
the water very slowly, while the up
perworked soil assumes an ashy tins
ness. When filled with water tn
makes it slnmpy. To subsoll sue
land is to make it, in a wet season, Il
inpasgable morass. In 4 dry aeaso
j, is an advantage. A tough tena>
ions subsoii, where composed almo>
wholly Of clay, must be let alone. III
only treatment is very gradual
deepening the soil, bringing up a hit
Of thi4 clay at each fall blowing, a"
applying manure to aid dlslntegr
ton and favor Improvement. If II
surface SOL has some sand this plan
an excellent substitute for sHb:ollr
or preparing the land for it, if Of ola
the case is hard one.
Thus the perplexity attendi'
sub.oiling will be seen, This, hove