222 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



are properly constructed, that is, with stone at the bottom from 

 six to eight inches in diameter, and covered with good flat 

 stone, leaving an aperture from six to eight inches square, and 

 the remainder filled to within twelve or fifteen inches of the 

 surface with small stone and earth, the water that falls upon 

 the soil does not remain in, or on the surface, to stagnate, or 

 run away over the surface, washing away the best of the soil ; 

 but gradually sinks down, carrying with it the fertilizing sub- 

 stances from the surface, for the nourishment of plants, and 

 with it we may say, gives air and warmth, both • essential to the 

 growth of plants. Under these new influences, the soil becomes 

 dry and warm, and plants, we have reason to believe, flourish, 

 which would never grow on it to perfection, if they grew at all. 

 It is a fact, too, that such soils resist drought better than before. 

 And for the simple reason that the plants are better able to 

 send down their roots in search of food, without ever finding 

 anything poisonous or hurtful ; every part is penetrated with 

 air, and consequently is drier and lighter. Such effects cannot 

 be expected, however, the first year, in a wet, clayey subsoil ; 

 the change is gradual, but sure. We venture to say that large 

 portions of the manure or fertilizers applied to cold, wet, clayey 

 soils are not of so much value, by fifty or seventy-five percent., 

 as on the same soil when properly drained. 



We here suggest a method for growing a field of corn, on a 

 piece of grass land intended for that purpose next spring. 

 Commence at once by drawing out manure from the barn cellar, 

 and broadcast the same, until we have the required quantity for 

 the field. Next spring, have the field ploughed at a proper time, 

 and planted as soon as the season will permit, using a certain 

 amount of bone meal, or superphosphate upon the surface, for 

 the purpose of giving the seed an early start, and forcing the 

 plant through June. We see no reason why a field of corn may 

 not be grown at much less expense than the common way of 

 drawing out the manure in the spring when " work drives," and 

 when, perhaps, hay and labor are bought at high prices. 



We have alluded to ploughing, and what we would be under- 

 stood by the term is, that the whole sod should be moved at a 

 proper and uniform depth and width, — the whole sod completely 

 turned. But what observing farmer has not noticed ploughing 

 to be done " in this wise : " — in the first instance the implement 



