ON PLOUGHING. 81 



I could adduce numerous instances, in this and other countries, to 

 shoAv the unquestionable result of subsoiling, but I consider the 

 question too well settled to admit of doubt. I should as soon think 

 of producing evidence that the light of the sun was necessary to 

 bring forward and mature the fruits of the earth. 

 With great respect, I am dear sir, 



Your Obt. Servt. 



E. PHINNEY. 

 To J. W. Proctor, Esq., 



West Newbury, November 16th, 1847. 

 My dear sir: — You enquire for my experience in subsoil ploughing, 

 which is but small, and the little I have is without those nice and ac- 

 curate observations necessary to speak with entire confidence on the 

 subject. Some of the land on Pipe Stave Hill, has a very hard sub- 

 soil, composed of clay, gravel and small stones. I purchased a plough 

 of Ruggles, Nourse & Mason two years ago, and have used it on all my 

 ploughed land since. My custom has been to follow the sward plough 

 with the sub-soil, both of which stirs the earth twenty inches, leaving 

 the land much lighter, and much easier worked and cultivated after 

 the ploughing. The labor of ploughing I consider double. One 

 fact is settled with me from my small experience, which is, that I 

 have a full compensation for the extra labor of ploughing, in the sa- 

 ving of labor in after cultivation, if planted with corn or potatoes, the 

 land being much lighter for sub-soiling, harrows better, and the plant- 

 ing and of course the hoeing is much easier. I appropriated this 

 season an acre of land for a more careful experiment ; sub-soiled one 

 half, manured and otherwise cultivated alike, I was fully satisfied of 

 the fact above stated. The crop of potatoes was a failure from dis- 

 ease, therefore I could not judge of the produce, whether increased 

 by sub-soiling, or not. I shall continue to use my sub-soil plough on this- 

 hard pan, notwithstanding the opinion of some, that the earth soon be- 

 comes more compact from being stirred. I judge it will be lighter for 

 one season at least, and of course give the roots a better chance to ex- 

 tend. On light land I have tried sub-soiling but do not see much 



