OF AGRICULTURE. 151 



the use of the subsoil plow, when run a foot below the 

 bottom of the turning furrow, and immediately under 

 the rows to be occupied by the seed- cane. This is 

 the more important, as no opportunity will again 

 occur for breaking up this portion of the soil, until 

 the plant is renewed. The plowing should never 

 long precede the planting, unless in stiff soils, which 

 need the mellowing influence of the atmosphere to 

 crumble the large clods ; nor in these, beyond the 

 period necessary to effect this object. A fine bed of 

 well pulverized earth is thus secured for the plants 

 to root in, and afford its nourishment to the young 

 shoots. 



PLANTING. 



This may be done any time between October and 

 April. There is a greater certainty of a good crop, 

 if in the ground by the first of March. 



On land previously well plowed, open a wide 

 furrow, with the fluke, or double mold- board plow, 

 clean this out with the hoe, of a uniform width, by 

 the removal of any clods that may have fallen in 

 after the plow. With the increased width of trench, 

 now usually adopted by the best planters, not less 

 than three parallel seed- stalks should be planted. 

 These ought to be in line, and about four inches 

 apart ; and it is better to place them so that the eyes 

 may shoot out horizontally, and thus come up at the 

 same time, and on opposite sides of the seed- stalk. 

 Cover with sufficient earth to prevent freezing, from 

 anji weather that may follow. On the approach of 

 spring, remove the earth to the depth of one or two 

 inches. Light spring frosts will not injure the plant, 



