The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-06-04
REGARDING FLOWING.
Deep or Shallow, which?-The Manner
of Flowing Dependent on the Character
of the Soil.

Deep Shallow, Which?-The Manner
of Flowing Dependent on the Character
of the Soil.
Probably ever since there has been
use for the plow there has existed a
difference of opinion regarding the
manner of plowing. and more especially
in the matter of the depth. For years
agricultural papers have been the
medium for the expression of views
upon this question, which at times have
waxed exceedingly warm. The advo-
Gates of deep plowing have been earnest
in their advocacy of their system, and
have been as vigorously opposed by
those who practice shallow plowing,
and yet the question is now no nearer
satisfactory solution than when the dis
cussion first commenced. for the reason
that the mode of plowing is governed
by conditions of soil as to mechanical
character, depth, etc. Soils vary very
much, especially in New England.
Upon many of the hillsideS they are of
necessity shallow, while in the valleys
and river bottoms they are compara-
lively deep. This condition is one that
can not be easily avoided, for the reason
that the tendency is for the fertile por-
tionS of the soil to be carried from the
hillsideS to the valleys below. unless
system of terracing is produced which
would be both expensive and labOriOuS.
All soils 90 through an atmospheric
preparation before they are suited to
the growth of crops, as is well known
by every thinking farmer, and that
portion becomes the available soil, so
to speak Beneath the cultivable soil
is the more compact soil or hard pan,
to which the depth varies according to
circumstances of cultivation or natural
deposit In valleys the cultivable soil
may be increased in depth by natural
deposit brought down from the hill
sides or the overflow of streams passing
through them; or the depth may be in
creased by gradual working over of
the subSOil, in slightly increased depth
of blowing. fertilizing and cultivation.
Now, the depth of plowing rests upon
the simple secret of the depth of the
cultivable soil to be plowed; there is no
arbitrary rule that applies to the case,
further than the healthy feeding
capacity of the soil to be plowed. Until
the subsOil has been exposed for time
to atmospheric action it is of little use,
and, in fact, if turned up in large
quantities, appears to act as a poison,
and for that reason it regulates the
depth of blowing.
1t would be the height of folly to
plow a field having an available soil
of only four or five inches TO a depth of
ten or twelve inches, because there
would be turned up six or seven inches
of soil that is not yet fitted to sustain
plant life, and hence the man who on
the recommend of some one who is
fortunate in possessing a soil of such
depth that blowing to 4 depth of twelve
inches is profitable. and so recommend
ed by him., would, in consequence of
the failure, be ever after bitter antag-
onist to deep plowing when the trouble
all arises from their different cOndi-
tiOns. Every farmer must be the Judge
for himself regarding the manner of
plOwing upon his own farm, and the
tenacity of the subsoil will be good
index for his guidance. 1t is always
safe, in case of shallow soils, to cause
them to be deepened by the gradual
working over of the subsoil, but among
New England farmers owning fields
with a subsoil completely ballasted with
rocks and powders this process means
an amount of work that presents dis
couraging aspect to the case The
deeper soil is worked the more en-
larged becomes the feeding ground of
crops of every kind that are brought
under cultivation, and the more endur-
ing it becomes in Characterization
EIobo