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•HE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



has arisen, "which, with a little more knowledge of the 

 subjects on both sides, might have been avoided. 



In the preceding observations on the action of ma- 

 nures on soils and on plants are embodied the latest 

 opinions on the subject, the results of the scientific in- 

 vestigations of the most distinguished chemist (Davy) of 

 our age, whose attention was turned to the specific object ^ 

 of applying the aid of chemistry to promote the cultiva- i 

 tion of the earth. The results of his labours are stated | 

 by him with much philosophic candour and becoming 

 diffidence ; and though no improvements in practice have j 

 been derived from them, they have nevertheless greatly j 

 enlarged our knowledge on these points, and have shown 

 that everything has been done that the best exertions 

 of our scientific knowledge can do, and point out the 

 path of investigation to future inquirers, who may by 



some single discovery amply compen»ate for all former 

 disappointments, accelerate and greatly advance the pro- 

 gress of the art beyond what might have been expected 

 during a great number of years of ordinary advance- 

 ment, and introduce a new era into its history and ap- 

 plication. Such studies, though not attended with evi- 

 dent practical utility, as all human speculations from 

 their nature cannot be so, are highly deserving the at- 

 tention of rational beings. By laying open the wonders of 

 creation they increase our reverence and admiration of 

 the great Source of being, who supplies every created 

 thing with the proper nourishment and in the most 

 regular order and harmony, by ways and means be- 

 yond our finding out. On these subjects it would be 

 presumptuous to be sanguine, and unphilosophical to 

 despair. 



PLOUGHING, PLOUGHS, AND PLOUGHMEN. 



Ploughing. — This is one of the most important 

 acts of husbandry in farm practice. Upon the due and 

 proper execution of this process, this department of 

 business, the prosperity and productiveness of the crop 

 mainly depend. The efficiency of its performance is 

 the true foundation of a good tilth. It is the primary 

 moving of the soil to form the safe and proper seed-bed. 

 It is the first process in common or ordinary cultiva- 

 tion, and when effectively done, saves much harrowing, 

 and other subsequent working. Effective ploughing 

 prepares the soil for thorough pulverization, so that it 

 can be the most readily reduced into an equable and 

 well-broken state to receive the seed. Correct plough- 

 ing will expose the greatest surface or amount of soil to 

 the atmospheric influences, or to be wrought upon by 

 harrows, and other working, so as to give friability and 

 looseness in the first stage, and equanimity and consist- 

 ency to the greatest portion of the soil subsequently, 

 whereby the rootlets may be enabled to penetrate into 

 it, and thus derive food in the greatest plenty. The 

 best ploughing will provide best for the ultimate and 

 partial consolidation of the soil, so as to form a firm, 

 though open soil, for the healthy sustenance of the crop 

 till it arrives at maturity. The true principle involved 

 in the philosophy of good ploughing is the exposition of 

 the largest quantity of soil to promote the disintegration 

 of the ammonia it inherently contains, and that it may 

 take it up more abundantly from the atmosphere by 

 being thus broken up and reduced by subsequent work- 

 ing. If the ploughing is efficiently performed, it will 

 safely bury many surface weeds, or it will cover up and 

 cause to rot any matters or manures required to re- 

 plenish the soil. The true and correct practice 

 in ploughing, as ascertained by long experience, is 

 to lay the furrow-slices at an angle of forty-five de- 

 grees, that is, the furrow must be about one-third more 

 in width than in depth— or as 6 in. to 9, or 7 in. to 10, 

 &c., &c. It is thus that the greatest amount of soil is 

 exposed to weathering influences ; besides, in this way 

 it mubt, if properly done, lie close. No hollows, " no 



hog-troughs," but one uniform series of furrows in the 

 best position for the harrow to work with the greatest 

 effect and usefulness; and thus the most readily to 

 secure the disentegration of ammonia and its subsequent 

 deposit. Good ploughmg, then, exposes most surface 

 to the air ; it provides best for subsequent harrowing, 

 and also prepares it, when well-broken down, for better 

 and more consistent consolidation, so that no hollows 

 supervene between the surface and furrow sole. These 

 important ends are requisite for the best sustenance of 

 nearly every crop. 



Ploughs. — I am not about to write an elaborate 

 article upon this part of my subject : my limits will not 

 permit me. I shall, therefore, merely give a few obser- 

 vations about ploughs. I have nothing to say about 

 the old Kentish Turnwrest. It may be a useful imple- 

 ment, as being convertible into many other phases, such 

 as the Skim, the Broadshare, the Scarifier, the Horse- 

 hoe, &c., &c. ; but, as a plough, I look upon it as 

 shortly to be " a thing of the past." Its awkward, 

 cumbrous, unwieldy construction can never allow it to 

 hold a place amongst modern farm-implements. 



In the same class I put the old Norfolk Gallows 

 Plough ; but it is not so convertible as the former. J 

 am often at a fault when viewing it, on my occasional 

 visits into that county— for I verily believe it is not to 

 be found elsewhere. I wonder that the far-famed 

 Norfolk farmers should persist in using such an obsolete 

 implement. I grant readily that it can and does do its 

 work ; and so would any plough, in most parts of the county. 

 It is one of those countries which our old and ever- 

 lamented friend Henry Ilandley used to say might be 

 ploughed " by two rabbits, with a clasp-knife." The only 

 legitimate conclusion that I can deduce is, that the Nor- 

 folk farmers continue to use it in memorial of their great 

 patron and friend, the father of modern agriculture, the 

 late Earl of Leicester, whom they all but adored. I 

 also view it as speedily to be " a thing of the past." 



There are also many plou ghs of local manufacture 

 equally reprehensible. There are many swing-ploughs 



