SPECIAL CROPS. 211 



Co., of New York, or Messrs. Sinclair & Co., of Baltimore, 

 will furnish, on application, special price lists of all plows, 

 especially adapted to southern crops. We advise also the 

 purchase of subsoil plows for grain and root crops. Buy one, 

 and make an experiment, and we feel assured it will prove 

 profitable. 



We would allude here to what is known as circle plowing. 

 What we mean by this is best illustrated by turning a tub, 

 measure, or round basket, bottom side up, tying a s\ ring to each 

 handle, and so winding them around the basket or tub that they 

 shall reach the top, each over the opposite handle from which 

 they started. Thus we have a gradual ascent to the top in a 

 half circle. On the light uplands where the soil i? mellow as an 

 ash heap, it has been for years washing down the slopes until 

 much of it is ruined. Circle plowing is the only remedy. First 

 make ditches in the form we have described, so that they will 

 take the water that comes pouring down the hill, and they will 

 bear it away down a slope so gradual that no washing will take 

 place. 



After a heavy rain send through the ditches and have the 

 gulches filled up, and the earth thrown ^-ut. They will soon 

 harden and protect the soil from washing. Conform the plowing 

 to the slope of the ditches. Care and practice will render the 

 marker very expert, and the rows will be nearly as uniform as 

 on level ground. 



The plows should be started early in the spring, or rather the 

 latter part of February, whenever the ground will admit. If the 

 previous growth was cotton let what was a middle last year be 

 a row this, and vice versa. On stubble or corn land, mark off the 

 rows with a light plow, or scooter, follow in the same furrow 

 and enlarge it with the shovel plow, drag the litter into this 

 furrow and cover by turning two furrows over it. The custom 



