[17] 



Apart from manuring proper, and rotation, there are a number of 

 expedients for improving and stimulating the production of soils; such 

 as subsoiling, thorough-drainage, the fallow, and turning-in of green, crops. 

 These are of especial importance to us in the reclamation of our worn 

 lands, since they enable us to dispense, for the time being, with much 

 of the heavy cash outlay otherwise required for the purchase of 

 manures. 



SUBSOILING. 



As for subsoiling, its great effectiveness with us depends largely 

 upon the lamentably shallow tillage that has mostly been bestowed 

 upon our lands. We have cultivated large areas badly, scratching, on 

 an average, three to four inches deep ; and it is mainly this shallow 

 surface layer that has been worn out, while the greater part of the 

 properly arable soil lies untouched beneath. True, it is not in a con 

 dition to bear heavy crops at once ; but by the aid of deep and frequent 

 tillage, the fallow, aad turning-in of green crops, as well as, wherever 

 accessible, our excellent marls : most of these worn soils, which were 

 originally &quot;strong,&quot; and have not been devastated by washing, can 

 readily be brought back to very nearly their original productiveness. 

 They would, of course, have lasted much longer, had deeper tillage 

 been practised from the outset. For, after all, what we call subsoiling 

 is only deep tillage, without, however, necessarily turning up the 

 deeper portions. When, where, and to what extent the actual turning up 

 may be practised, depends materially upon circumstances; such as the 

 original and actual depth of the arable soil, its quality, the nature and 

 quality of the subsoil, the conditions of drainage, the crops intended 

 to be raised, etc. It often involves questions of no slight difficulty 

 and complication, which can only be answered either bj analysis, or 

 else by long and costly experimenting. Indiscriminate subsoiling has 

 in numerous cases in this State proved the very reverse of beneficial ; 

 although much more often, it has resulted in very great improvement 



THOROUGH-DRAINAGE. 



Thorough-drainage, or under-draining, is very similar in its effects to 

 to subsoiling, but it goes farther in its benefits. It renders the Jand 

 easier to cultivate; allows the ground to be worked at all times, within 

 a few hours after a rain ; secures to crops the advantages of an early 

 start, of a deep soil well aerated, and therefore protects them against 

 either excessive wet or drouth. Hence it renders a fair crop almost a 

 a certainty, every year, even in very extreme seasons, when all else is 



a total failure. 



2 



