160 Plowing and Hoeing. [March, 



PLOWING AND HOEING. 



Though plowing and hoeing are the most common and simple 

 operations in husbandry, still it is not certain that all the reasons 

 for performing them are understood. 



That the tuif must be broken, and the grass side reversed, that 

 the seed to be sown may have a naked surface which the young 

 plant may exclusively occupy, is sufficiently clear at first sight. 

 It is evident too that the subsequent growth of weeds should be 

 repressed, and that the entire surface oi the land devoted to a par- 

 ticular crop, should for the time being be its sole occupant. It is 

 unnecessary to dwell upon these points for the purpose of making 

 them plainer to farmers; although, if we might be permitted to 

 judge from appearances only, it would appear that even the points 

 noted above were not very well established. 



In this brief article, we shall say nothing of the manner and 

 mode of performing these important operations in husbandry; or 

 the best form of the instruments designed for them; of the depth 

 of furrow, or the width of the furrow slice; for in each particular, 

 each will be modified by circumstances, and by the crop itself. 

 Climate, too, will especially govern the depth to which the plow 

 may profitably run, when time is taken into consideration; for 

 there is little doubt that shallow plowing is better adapted to a 

 warm climate than to a cold one. 



But we proceed to speak of the objects which are gained by 

 plowing. The objects of plowing and hoeing, then, belong to 

 two classes — mechanical and chemical. 



The first we shall not dwell upon, inasmuch as they are well 

 undeistood. The breaking of the sod; the pulverization of the 

 soil; the frequent renewal of a new surface to the atmosphere, 

 are acknowledged to be the necessary means by which a crop ac- 

 quires vigor and strength, and reaches an early maturity. But 

 then again, although these mechanical operations are important, 

 simply as mechanical, still they are necessary, that the chemical 

 changes may take place. The chemical changes concern three 

 agents — heat, air and water. 



First, Heat. When a surface which is covered with a sod, or 

 grass, is turned over, and the earthy side is brought uppermost, 

 heat is rapidly absorbed, and the temperature of the whole is 

 more elevated than it was in its original condition. This pre- 

 pares the soil for the early germination of seed, and gives it a 

 speedy growth at the beginning. 



Second, Jlir. The looseness of the soil, which is effected by 

 stirring or plowing, enables it to take up a greater amount of air 

 than in its original condition. Upon this depends some of the 

 most important changes which take place in the soil, and which 

 are themselves subservient to the growth of the crop. To under- 



