OUT-OF-TOWN PLACES 



level surface. But a flat furrow, with ordi- 

 nary implements, involves a broad cut and a 

 consequent diminution of depth. The perfec- 

 tion of plowing upon sward-land implies, on 

 the contrary, little pyramidal ridgelets of 

 mould, running like an arrow's flight the full 

 length of the field, — all which a good cross- 

 harrowing will break down into fine and even 

 tilth, like a garden-bed. Yet again and again, 

 I have seen such plowing, by Scotch adepts, 

 condemned by the county wise men for its un- 

 evenness. The flat furrow is not, indeed, 

 without its uses under certain conditions of 

 the land, and with special objects in view — 

 as, for instance, where, by a fall plowing, one 

 wishes a partial disintegration of the turf, in 

 view of a "turning under" of the whole sur- 

 face upon the succeeding spring for a crop of 

 roots. This is practised upon the island of 

 Jersey (so famous for its dairy stock) with 

 great success. The sod is "skimmed" (such 

 is their term) in the month of November or 

 December, and with the opening of spring all 

 is turned under by a plow, which, so far as I 

 have observed, is peculiar to that island, and 

 which works ten inches in depth, and requires 

 a team of four horses for its effective use. 

 I must have a word or two to say here in re- 



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