72 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



How many farmers have noticed — or rather how many have 

 not noticed — low, wet sunken cavities when working these fields, 

 and who has ever noticed in such locations a good crop of any 

 plant cultivated ? It is also noticeable that when the field is 

 seeded to grass the cultivated grass roots are soon " worked 

 out " and a poorer quality occupies the place. Now when this 

 water is once removed, those parts of the field produce more 

 abundantly of any crop that may be grown ; proving pretty 

 conclusively — on a small scale — the effects of field drainage. 



It is also known where deep rooted plants are cultivated on 

 reclaimed meadow, if the water in the ditches stands within six 

 or eight inches of the surface, thus far will the roots extend, but 

 they refuse to go farther, which indicates that the standing 

 water is pernicious to the plant. 



The Subsoil Plough. 



This farm implement — although not very extensively used — 

 may be considered a co-worker with under-draining ; those who 

 have used it, best know its results ; it serves to mellow and 

 loosen the soil to almost any desirable depth we choose — at 

 least in very many of our fields. 



A member of this Committee having used it the past autumn 

 on his fields, is well satisfied of its good effects. The positive 

 proof of its use, however, is yet to be seen in after crops. Most 

 authors on fruit culture speak of it in high terms — consider it an 

 almost indispensable utensil in preparing the soil for the growth 

 of fruit trees. If so, the rule may follow that it should be in 

 use for many other purposes, especially so for those crops that 

 grow deep in the soil. 



Of the carrot crop only two entries were made, one by Mr. 

 Ebenezer Bird, of Leominster, whose field produced at the rate 

 of one thousand bushels per acre, to whom we award the first 

 premium, 84. The other field by Mr. Martin Johnson, of Lun- 

 enburg. The product from this field was eight hundred bushels 

 per acre ; the root we consider of a superior kind. Mr. John- 

 son, however, failed to make his return and statement to the 

 Committee at the time appointed, consequently we were obliged 

 to withhold a premium. 



Potatoes. — Of this crop five entries were made ; two of the 

 same were withdrawn. The product from the field entered by 



