401 



my own experience and observation, assisted by what I 

 have been able to learn from others. 



For a Spring Crop. If it be intended to raise a spring 

 crop the first year, and especially corn, it is advisable to 

 start the plough as soon as the grass has started sufficient- 

 ly to afford a good bite. By this time, in ordinary sea- 

 sons, the ground will be sufficiently dry, and the plough 

 may be kept going as late as it will do to put in the crop. 

 The crop will be found to be best on the land first bro- 

 ken ; but the best year, it will be found that the land last 

 broken is in much the best condition. 



For a Fall Crop. If a fall crop is intended, the break- 

 ing should not commence till about the first of June, and 

 may be continued till the middle of August ; and in very 

 dry seasons, perhaps a month later. It will almost inva- 

 riably be found, that the land first broken will afford the 

 best crop, and nearly twice the quantity may be expected 

 from land broken in June, that will be reali-zed from land 

 broken in September ; so that it will be readily perceiv- 

 ed, if the time can be otherwise profitably employed, 

 it is not advisable to continue breaking so late as that 

 time. 



Crop on the Sod. If it is proposed to raise a spring or 

 fall crop on the sod, the prairie should, by all means, be 

 broken as deep as possible, say from four to five inches at 

 least. All who have had any experience in prairie farm- 

 ing, are well aware that the sward is composed of a strong 

 tenacious mass of grass roots, firmly interwoven together, 

 near the surface of which there is, comparatively, but 

 very little earthy substance to be found, and that little so 

 firmly compressed and bound up, that it can afford but 

 very little nourishment to the growing crop. Hence the 

 necessity of ploughing deep, in order to obtain sufficient 

 mould to sustain the crop, will be readily perceived. I* 



