18!)9.] ESSAYS. 101 



oiuil)lc the soil to absorl) the niiiifull more (juiekly, and inainlMiii 

 it nearer the roots of the growing plants, also to admit fresh 

 air, and enable them to penetrate the soil, thexe are the primary 

 reasons for cultivation. And the princi[)al objects for subse- 

 quent tillage, whether by plow, harrow, or hoe, are to prevent 

 loss of water by the growth of weeds, &c. Also to keep the 

 surface covered with loose, dry mulch, in order to prevent 

 loss of moisture by evaporation. The principles of good plow- 

 ing seem to be almost one of the " lost arts," for as we see, in 

 so many sections, the same old custom of plowing for successive 

 years the same field at exactly the same depth. Thus forming 

 a compact subsoil below the plow rendering it impervious to 

 water, the injurious effects are twofold ; viz., it makes it more 

 difficult for the rainfall to be absorbed as rapidly as it falls, and 

 increases the danger of loss of water and injury to the soil by 

 surface washinor and erosion of fields into gullies. These can 

 be [)revented by deeper cultivation and leaving the subsoil in a 

 loose and absorbent condition. 



SUBSOILING. 



The practical value of which will be seen in the beneficial 

 effect on the growing plants and increased crops, especially in 

 the orchards and vineyards, as well as in the berry fields. 

 The true principles of subsoiling. We would lay down for 

 guidance these rules, viz. : it is rarely necessary in light, 

 porous, sandy soils ; it is not beneficial in heavy, wet soils 

 unless they are previously and thorowjhly underdrained ; and 

 it is likely to be injurious if much of the subsoil is brought to 

 the top and incorporated into the surface soil, as it is generally 

 sour, unhealthy and contains poisonous matter, which would be 

 deleterious to plant growth. 



The highest art of cultivation which has ever l)ecn practiced 

 is that of trenching, so extensively employed in Europe and so 

 earnestly advocated by all great agricultural writers. No 

 known implement is so effective for loosing and improving the 

 soil as the spade, as it does not cut the soil fro7n the subsoil as 

 the plow, but breaks it off and there is no compacting of the 

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