90 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



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 

 prepared in this manner requires no additional plowing, but 

 it is better fitted for the reception of seed that it can be by 

 any further operation, unless by a slight harrowing, if the 

 surface is too rough. The different kinds of grain or peas 

 may be dibbled in, or sown broad-cast and covered by the 

 harrow. If sown very early, the grass and clover seeds 

 require no covering, but find their best position in the slight 

 depressions which are everywhere 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 preceding 

 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 dropped, 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 together, as partially to lap upon a narrow and unbro- 

 ken surface ; thus leaving the greatest elevations and de- 

 pressions, which can conveniently be made with the plow. 

 This is shown by the annexed cut. 



Fio. 3. 



a, a, is surface of the unplowed ground, b, b, b, portions of 

 earth not turned by the plow, c, c, c, furrows turned over, 

 d, d, d, furrows lapped on the preceding. By this means, 

 the frost and air have a greater surface to act upon, than is 

 afforded by thorough plowing, unless it be in a firm sod, 

 which will maintain its position without crumbling. The 

 advantage of a dry surface and early working, are equally 

 secured by this latter method ; and to prepare for planting, 

 the furrows need only to be split, by running a double-mold- 

 board plow through their centre, when they are ready for 

 the reception of the seed. 



Plowing sandy or dry Soils. These require flat plowing, 

 and this may be done when they are either quite wet or dry, 

 but never till wanted for use. By exposure to heat, rains and 



