OF AGRICULTURE. 29 



being set deeper than the first. In this way the sur- 

 face and sub -soil are inverted, to 'some extent, or at 

 least completely mingled ; and where the surface has 

 been exhausted by long tillage, its place is thus sup- 

 plied by fresh soil. Tbis method is called trench 

 plowing. 



The harrow and cultivator are important aids to the 

 plow in reducing the soil to a more completely pul- 

 verized condition; in mixing fertilizers more entirely 

 with it; in giving a smooth surface to plant or sow 

 orops, and in covering the seeds of plants. The 

 roller is an important im.plem.3nt 0:1 many soils 

 When light sandy soils are cultivated in wheat or 

 other grains, the roller is frequently necessary to 

 render the surface sufficiently compact and also in 

 crushing clods. 



D RAINING. 



In a work of this kind a short notice only can be 

 made of this important subject. Any one wishing 

 to inform himself more thoroughly upon the subject 

 will find valuable information in the work by 

 Waring, " Draining for Profit and for Health," and 

 " Farm Drainage," by II. F. French, from both of 

 which I have derived important information herein 

 embodied. 



The chief object of draining in agriculture is to 

 carry off the surplus moisture from the soil. Thou- 

 sands of acres of swamp lands have by this means 

 been reclaimed from otherwise utterly worthless con- 

 dition, and rendered extremely fertile ; while mil- 

 lions of acres lie yet unreclaimed in our Southern 

 State?, producing only loathsome reptiles and insects, 



