106 [Senate 



soil, as an alterative, are very favorable. The course of crops would 

 not answer here, such is the difference of our seasons; but it is be- 

 lieved a profitable lesson might be derived by the American farmer, 

 from studying the Flemish system of manuring. 



It is perfectly idle for any individual to undertake the management 

 of a farm, without a proper supply of implements with which to per- 



^ T form the labor of the farm. There should not only be 

 Farm Im- •' 



piements. enough of them, but they should also be of the best kind, 

 for experience shows that there is a gain every way, in using only the 

 best implements. It is easier for the animal, for the man; the work 

 is better done, and as a necessary consequence the crops are better 

 and more valuable. The number of each implement will, of course 

 depend on the size of the farm, and the teams and laborers employed. 

 Of all agricultural implements the plow is at the head, and in none 

 has such decided improvements been made within a few years, as in 

 this. Much controversy has been had as to the best plow of the two 

 principal kinds, the one that lays the furrow flat, or the one that lays 

 it lapping on the last. This matter may be said to be wholly de- 

 pending on the nature of the soil. If this is light or sandy, the fur- 

 row should be laid flat; if heavy, or inclining to consolidation, the fur- 

 row should be lapped; and the reasons are self-evident. On the light 

 soils, there is no danger of surface water; and the more compact a 

 sandy surface can be made by rolling, treading of animals, or other- 

 wise, the better it is for the crop; while on a heavy or clay soil, it is 

 directly the reverse in all things. This should be left as porous and 

 light as possible; and lapping the furrows does much to accomplish 

 this. In selecting plows, then, the farmer must be governed by the 

 nature of his soil. In only one instance is a flat furrow admissible 

 on heavy land; it is when the turf is manured before it is turned over; 

 and where a crop of corn or spring grain with grass seeds is to imme- 

 diately follow the operation. In this case, the turf should be laid 

 flat. There are few farms on wh'.ch there is not sufficient variation 

 in the soil to render one or more of each of these plows necessary in 

 their management. In addition to- these, a subsoil plow may be 

 deemed indispensable, where a thorough system of farm management 

 is intended. Although not in as general use as it should be, the sub- 

 soil plow is deservedly winning its way into favor with the agricul- 

 tural public; and as an implement for changing the character of heavy 

 dense soils, it certainly is unrivaled. Perhaps it may be well to 



