128 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



formed in regard to the manner in which Adam carried on his 

 farming operations. We are not told whether he used a spade 

 or plough, rake or harrow, hoe or corn-planter. We feel quite 

 sure, however, that in the absence of the sons of the "Emerald 

 Isle," he could not have relied exclusively on the spade, in pre- 

 paration of the soil, even before the thorns and briers came. 

 It will not at all surprise us, if, at some future day, a Layard 

 should exhume from the garden of Eden the original pattern 

 of the genuine ]\Iichigan Plough. 



To the successful prosecution of agricultural pursuits, a 

 thorough preparation of the soil for the reception of seed, is 

 essential. One of the most, if not, indeed, the most, essential 

 implement for the accomplishment of this object, is the plough. 

 The office of a plough is to stir and turn over the soil from a 

 suitable depth, leaving it in a light and thoroughly,pulverized 

 condition. It is not enough that the ground is simply turned 

 upside down. A plough may be capable of doing this in the 

 most perfect manner, and still be very imperfect ; for, it is easy 

 to see that, so far as it fails to pulverize and render the furrow 

 light, a necessity is created for the additional labor of the 

 harrow. 



It is proper, also, in forming our estimate of the true value 

 of a plough, to consider the strength of team necessary, and 

 the ease with which it can be managed. 



In regard to the question so much agitated at the present 

 time, whether the plough shall run deep or shallow, we say, 

 as a general rule, let the plough run deep, or else follow it with 

 the subsoil. We believe that, in this conclusion, we are sus- 

 tained by reason and experience. A given quantity of soil may 

 not occupy a larger space, after having been thoroughly stirred, 

 than it did in its natural state ; still its new condition is more 

 favorable to the growth of the plant, whose roots are to pene- 

 trate and draw their sustenance from it. 



To any one who has observed the great depth to which the 

 delicate fibres penetrate, it is perfectly obvious, that every ob- 

 stacle should be removed, which might hinder their progress. 

 Still farther, other things being equal, we suppose it to be a 

 point which experience has fairly settled, that the ability of a 

 plant to sustain itself during a drought, will correspond with 



