198 On cultivating Indian Coryi, 



mould boards, splits it. And thus three furrows re- 

 verse ridges of five and an half feet wide. The old fur- 

 row enables the ploughing to be done deeper, than 

 could otherwise be effected, as it is a receptacle for the 

 two lands by which it is filled, and these leave wide 

 and deep furrows, to receive each a moiety of the re- 

 sidue of the old ridge. The deep ploughing, and com- 

 plete subversion of the sod, produced by the strength 

 of four horses, with the advantage of the furrow to re- 

 ceive the lands, buries seeds so deep, that few can 

 pierce the tegument, and greatly facilitates the culture 

 of the crop ; or if it be oi the culmiferous family, sown 

 broad cast, obstructs the vegetation of weeds among 

 it. The ridges are made east and west, to equalize the 

 influence of the sun. If the theory '' that the atmo- 

 sphere is the source of manure, into whatever form it 

 may be elaborated by an animal or vegetable process'' 

 is true, it is probable that the bringing a greater por- 

 tion of the surface of the earth in contact with it, by 

 high and frequent ridges, may increase the inhalation of 

 this its food ; and that the direction of these ridges may 

 diminish exhalation. How far these or other circum- 

 stances, may have co-operated with the gypsum, in the 

 second experiment, or in the general improvement of 

 the farm, 1 have not attempted to discover, but my im- 

 pression is, that the detailed practice, constitutes no 

 mean auxiliary to the other fertilizing expedients. 



