On the Great or Jersey Trench -Plough. 41 



the fresh soil below more readily turned to the top, which is of 

 considerable importance in the growth of all seeds and plants." 



Sir John Sinclair states '' that considerable tracts of waste lands 

 have been rendered capable of regular cultivation by trenching." 



The French writers, Du Rozier, Dombasle, Vibnorin^, Nois- 

 ette, speak in this sense, that digging is not simply the mere 

 stirring of the earth with a spade, as is practised with inexpe- 

 rienced cultivators, or labourers more interested to display a large 

 surface of v/ork than careful to have performed it well. Masters 

 often judge of work by its extent, hence it is easy to comprehend 

 that in such cases labourers think of little else. In order to 

 Vv'ork the soil well, it must be turned to a depth proportionate to 

 the length of the roots which are to grow in it, whether they be 

 sown or planted ; meaning, that if the roots are to be 6 inches 

 long, the soil should be worked at least from 9 to 10 inches. 



If these opinions of the best authorities in the most civilised 

 countries are correct, the general working of soils for ordinary 

 crops is not sufficiently deep throughout the united kingdom. 



I am aware of the delicate ground on which I am stepping, of 

 the prejudice which long practice, much consideration, and 

 science itself has established — science, in one sense of the word, 

 when compared with the dark state in which agriculture had 

 remained up to the days of TuU and Sinclair, those parents of 

 modern husbandry; but the most scientific farmers now admit 

 that we are still infants in the knowledge of the soil — the che- 

 mistry of agriculture, unfolding its wonders under the mighty 

 lights of Davy and Liebig. The botany and entomology of hus- 

 bandry, revealed to us by Kirby, Bauer, Henslow, Lindley, and 

 others, show us hov/ much we have to unlearn, and how much 

 more to learn ! 



A deeply reflecting mind may perceive that the intelligence 

 and observation of acute persons, among men considered to be 

 mere ordinary farmers, have led them to adopt nearly correct 

 courses of husbandry, after, perhaps, a quarter of a century of 

 reflection, including merely the experience of four rotations of a 

 six- course shift, or six of one of four courses ; in truth, a short 

 experience to build a system on, which profound sagacity alone 

 could even approach to establish. Under the light of science, 

 correct rotations may now be followed with certainty, the analysis 

 of a soil pointing out its wants and capabilities. 



The trench-plough will only suit soils that are turned to the 

 depth of 8 or 10 inches at least ; and can be turned 18 inches or 

 more. The object of proposing the use of this trenching-plough 

 is twofold: — 1st, To compress three or more ploughings and 

 harrowings, spread over a whole fallowing season, into two plough- 

 ings and harrowings, hence effecting a saving of much labour. 



