1856.] Subsoil Flowing. 595 



for the leading, as well as the small fibrous roots, which readily per- 

 forate the soil in search of those nutritious ingredients and qualities 

 which form the plant. 



In moist seasons, then, due credit should be given to the work of 

 nature, and the farmer may well thank Nature for hei^ labors in 

 giving to his soil a deep tilth, which his own negligence, or want of 

 observance of nature's laws, had failed to efiect. 



The average depth of plowing, as performed in this country, does 

 not exceed five inches. Consequently, if the fallow was in grass 

 the previous year, the tenacity of the soil is such, that the subse- 

 quent plowings and harrowings, bring the surface to a very shallow 

 depth of loose friable soil. The tender roots of wheat, can not 

 penetrate the hard and compact subsoil, especially when laid directly 

 upon this subsoil, as most authors recommend, especially when they 

 plow it in. The plants thus situated, are compelled to deviate from 

 the course nature designed, and obliged to wander about near the 

 surface in search of the necessary aliment to constitute their growth, 

 unless cof)ious showers should seasonably come to their aid. 



The process of freezing and thawing conies next in order ; and as 

 the roots have obtained but a slight hold upon the soil, the work 

 of expansion and contraction lifts the wheat high and dry, from its 

 shallow bed, to give room for a more hardy race of vegetation. 

 What may have thus escaped lianging^ is in danger of being drowned 

 when the wet of spring comes on, or if any be left, of being burnt 

 up with the heat of summer. The surplus water, finding no means 

 of escape, other than the inequality the surface furnishes, or by 

 evaporation, is retained so long as to prove destructive ; and when 

 dried, indurates into the consistency of soapstone, which is alike de- 

 structive. Then if the gentle dew should fall as a temporary substi- 

 tute for rain, the indurated and almost petrified surface absorbs but 

 a small portion of the moisture, and readily yields it again to the 

 first rays of the morning sun. Here is the great secret why our 

 western lands so rapidly deteriorate in the production of the whea-t 

 crop. Our first crops are twenty-five and thirty bushels, but soon 

 run down to an average of less than half that amount. Our soil is 

 peculiarly adapted to wheat, and if properly managed would be inex- 

 haustible. The cause or causes, of much falling ofi", may with pro- 

 priety be attributed to constant cropping, and returning nothing to 

 the soil ; but in a greater degree it is attributable, to the want of a 

 greater depth of loose and pulverized soil. The thin stratum has 



