78 AMERICAN AGRTCtTLTimF. 



There is a still further and important advantage from this 

 practice which ensues from the attraction existing between 

 the clay and those gases that are furnished from the atmos- 

 phere, snow, rains and dews. In consequence of being thus 

 thrown up and coming in contact with them, it seizes upon 

 the ammonia and carbonic and nitric acids which are in the 

 air, and holds them for the future use of the crops; while 

 their great affinity for manures effectually prevents the waste 

 of such as are in it. 



The furrows of clay soils should be turned over so as to lap 

 on the preceding and lie at an angle of 45 ; and for this 

 purpose the depth of the furrow slice should be about two 

 thirds its width. Thus a furrow 6 inches deep should be 

 about 9 inches wide, or if 8 inches deep, it should be 12 

 inches wide. This will allow of the furrows lying regularly 

 and evenly, and in the proper position for the drainage of 

 the soil, the free circulation of air, and the most efficient ac- 

 tion of frosts which in this way have access to every side of 

 them. Land thus thrown up is found to be finely pulverized 

 after the frosts leave it, and it is comparatively dry and 

 ready for use some time earlier than such as is not plowed 

 till spring. For sowing, land plowed in this manner requires 

 no additional plowing, but it is better fitted for the reception 

 of seed than it can be by any further operation, unless by a 

 slight harrowing if too rough. The different kinds of grain 

 or peas may be dibbled in or sown directly upon the surface 

 and covered by the harrow ; and if sown very early, the 

 grass and clover seeds require no covering, but find their best 

 position in the slight depressions which are every where 

 made by the frost, and which the subsequent rains and winds 

 fill up and cover sufficiently to secure a certain growth. 

 When a field -is intended for planting and is thus plowed in 

 the preceeding autumn, in some instances, and especially 

 when the soil is full of vegetable manures, as from a rich 

 green sward, a single furrow where the seed is to be drop- 

 p"l, is all that is necessary to be plowed in the spring. 



If the land has been previously cultivated, (not in sward,) 

 and is designed for planting, a stiff clay is sometimes ridged 

 up by turning a double furrow, one on each side and so close 

 as partially to lap upon a narrow and unbroken surface, thus 

 leaving the greatest elevations and depressions which can^ 

 conveniently be made with the plow. The frost and air by 

 this means, have a greater surface to act upon than is affor- 

 ded by thorough plowing, unless it 'be in a firm sod, which 



