28 ON PLOUGHING. 



the entire confidence of their owners. There is a jealousy respect- 

 ing them. There is an apprehension, that the material which is 

 started by their deep 'penetration, is not altogether well adapted to 

 the growth of plants. 



We have solicited and urged experiments on this subject ; but 

 with meagre practical results. We scarcely know the individual in 

 the County, who has subsoiled half a dozen acres in a year. We 

 have many farmers who have hundreds of acres well adapted to this 

 operation, but they are slow to apply it. And even those who have 

 done something at it, have not so matured their labors, as to be 

 ready and willing to speak of them. 



It should be remembered, that in conducting an experiment of this 

 kind, it is not essential that it should be a successful one. If it is but 

 judiciously managed, it may be quite as useful, if it demonstrates 

 what is to be avoided, as well as what is to be sought. This practice 

 of subsoiling is so extensive in other places, and has so much of plau- 

 sibility connected with its theory, that it certainly commends itself to 

 the favorable reception of all Avho are not entirely wedded to old no- 

 tions and old practices. For ourselves, we do not pretend to speak 

 of its good effects, from our own observation. But we have heard of 

 the benefits accruing from its use, in so many ways, from those whom 

 we have always found worthy of confidence, in other things, that we 

 are disposed to give credit to their testimony in this. 



Among those who have proved their faith by their works, in this 

 matter, there is no one more conspicuous than E. Phinney, Esq., of 

 Lexington, whose views in relation to it were given in a note ap- 

 pended to an address published in 1844, in the Transactions of the 

 Society for that year. We have renewedly inquired of him, his 

 views at the present time, and think we cannot, in any other manner, 

 so well instruct the farmers of our County, as by appending his let- 

 ter to this Eeport. 



The Committee had the pleasure of witnessing, on the day of the 

 Exhibition at Lynn, a very successful experiment with the subsoil 

 plough, by Mr. Ira Worcester, of Ipswich. The plough was new, 

 made by Ruggles & Co., of medium size, with a single flange. The 

 soil was a dark rich mould on top, with a gravelly subsoil, free of 

 fixed stones. The sod was turned by the power of one pair of cattle, 

 to the depth of six inches. The subsoil plough was drawn by three 



