6 MAINE STATE SOCIETY. 



REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 



On Plowing. 



The Committee on Plowing, having attended to the duties 

 assigned them by the Trustees of the Maine State Agricultural 

 Society, beg leave to present the following report : 



The farmer has every inducement to perform this part of his 

 work in the best manner possible. If he have ^ittlc manure, 

 he must thoroughly pulverize his soil, so that it may be readily 

 taken up by the young and tender fibres, and easily appro- 

 priated by them to its sustenance and growth. If he have a 

 great quantity to be applied to his land, he sees at once that 

 much care is required to cover and intermingle it with the soil, 

 so that he may receive benefit for the present crop and retain 

 its influence in after years. 



Several particulars should be kept in mind, among which are 

 the following: 



The condition of the soil, — the quantity of manure to be ap- 

 plied, — the natural composition of the soil, — .the nature of the 

 subsoil, and the peculiar habits of the seed to be sown. 



If the soil is filled with roots and seeds of weeds and bushes, — 

 if it has been treated as many farmers treat their land, " cut 

 and cover," more depends upon a thorough disintegration of the 

 soil, than an abundance of manure. The roots are detached 

 from their possession, the seeds are disturbed, and many may 

 be destroyed; and when they have sent forth their roots and 

 stalks, and asserted their privilege of enjoying life at all hazard, 

 the hoe is easily laid at the root, because the soil is mellovr 

 and light. The condition of the soil should be considered as 

 having a direct relation to the depth of plowing. Tlie sterile, 

 sun-burnt pine barrens, whose soil reminds one of the outer 

 layer of fat on hogs fatted on skimmed milk and raw pumpkins, 

 '' a'most as thick as the rind," require shallow plowing, unless 

 something is added to fertilize the coarse and friable subsoil. 

 A rich, alluvial or vegetable soil, may be cultivated below its 

 depth, because it contains properties sufficiently powerful to 

 neutralize its sterility. 



The quantity and local application of manure has much to do 



