PLOWING GOOD AND BAD. 93 



water will not stand upon any part of its surface, no 

 matter how much may there be deposited, the next 

 step in order is to increase the depth of the soil. To 

 this end, procure a regular sub-soil plow of the most 

 approved pattern, attach to it a strong team, and let 

 it follow the breaking-plow in its furrow, lifting and 

 pulverizing the sub-soil to a depth of not less than 

 six inches, but leaving it in position exactly where it 

 was. The surface-plow turns the next furrow upon 

 this loosened sub-soil, and so on till the whole field is 

 thus pulverized to a depth of not less than twelve 

 inches, or, better still, fifteen. Now, please remem- 

 ber that you have twice as much soil per acre to 

 fertilize as there was before ; hence, that it conse- 

 quently requires twice as much manure, and you will 

 have laid a good foundation for increased crops. I 

 do not say that all the additional outlay will be re- 

 turned to you in the increase of your next crop, for I 

 do not believe anything of the sort ; but I do believe 

 that this crop will be considerably larger for this 

 generous treatment, especially if the season prove re- 

 markably dry or uncommonly wet ; and that you will 

 have insured better crops in the years to come, in- 

 cluding heavier grass, after that field shall once more 

 be laid down ; and that, in case of the planting of 

 that field to fruit or other trees, they will grow faster, 

 resist disease better, and thrive longer, than if the 

 soil were still plowed as of old. (I shah 1 insist here- 

 after on the advantage and importance of subsoiling 

 orchards.) 



