Year: 1863

very largely depends upon whether that
work be we'll or poorly done. A soil of
only moderate richness, If brought to
a proper mechanical condition, will feed
growing plants far better than stronger
land imperfectly titled. Every one knows
that newly cleared forest land usually
produces its best crops during the first
few years Of cultivation. This is not
wholly owing to the plant-food yielded
by the vegetable deposit which it con-
tains. For many years trees have been
sending their fibrous roots throughout its
whole substance; scarcely particle has
been left undislurbed. Every square
inch is permeated with decayed or decom-
posed matter. The soil is thus made
loose and friable. 1t holds moisture, ad-
mits air and warmth, and the roots of
grain or other crops extend unobstructed,
and find nourishment at every step. Now,
merely manuring such field will not
keep it in this condition. The fertiliziug
material must be distributed throughout
the soil, not only that it may be readily
appropriated by the growing plants, but
that it may aid in keeping the soil in
proper mechanical condition. Those who
advocate only top-dressing, lose sight of
this fact. The stimulating properties of
manure will undoubtedly be felt by the
soluble parts being carried to the roots by
rain, but an important condition for plant
growth will still be lacking. Perhaps
for the same reason, in part, guano and
other concentrated manures are beneficial
for only n limited period This also ex-
plains, in part, the favorable action of
clover in rotation: the decaying roots are
distributed throughout the soil more even
ly tnan could be done by any method of
manuring now practiced. The ilustra-
tions are given to enforce the Importance
of good plowing. Every care should
therefore be taken to have the soil as
thoroughly pulverized, and manure as
finely mixed through it, as is possible
Good plowing cannot be done on clayey
land while wet. The furrow slice may
roll smoothly as from brick mold, but
it will be compacted into Jumps which no
harrow will reduce. A crop put in two
weeks later than ordinary on ground in
good condition, would stand better
chance than if sown on n field of Jumps.
The advantages of draining, will be read
lily seen at plowing time.


Much will depend upon the excellence
of the implement used. Wecannot name
the best plow, for the reason that the
styles must be varied on the different
soils. A vaF7ation of one or two inches
in depth of plowing may require radi-
cal change in the implement A plow
working easily on stubble may entirely
fail on sward. AS general rule it is
safest to use a plow adapted for deep
work. 1t may be adjusted to run light;
but plow for shallow work, can not be
made to go deep effectively. Ifpossble,
purchase q new plow only on trial at first.
If it rurs with light draft, turns n furrow
slice well at from four to eight inches is
easily kept at uniform depth, and is well
put together, it is good implement.


A good plowman strikes straight fur
row, leaves it clean behind him, and the
surface of field as nearly level as the ma
ture of the ground will admit. No writ
ten instruction will explain how this can
be done. A man must learn the art at
tho plow handle, and it will require tho't
aud ingenuity as well as strength aud agil-
ity. Paying a few dollars extra to an
expert hand at this business, rather than
entrusting it to an awkward bungler, will
in the end be found to be profitable in
american Agricuturist, A.
pril, 1868.