230 



Deep Ploughing — Lime in ^gricullvrc. Vol. III. 



the -^a^ni^^lts. Il'X's views are correct that ] ral cannot afford the expense onimin?, m» 

 the nutriment in the soil is decomposed loo ra- i nuring, &c. and of doin^ all tneir work weli, 

 *■ ' .. ... , ■ 1- • -J. ,1 :. r.ii„,. -o ] .w.t rs„i.r ^r, Kilt nUn in season, nt the 



( 



pidly to he taken up, and is dissipated, it fijllows 

 that unless a soil is entirely without vegeta- 

 ble matter, it would be belter to apply our 

 manures in the fall, when tl.oioughly rotten, 

 than in the spring, when fermentation has 

 only partially progressed. This is opposed to 

 the common opinion, that it is best for manure 

 to finish its fermentation in the soil, thereby 

 throwing out its gases for the benefit of vege- 

 tation. 



Lime, I think, acts chiefly in two ways, and 

 I would agree with X, tiiat it ought to be ap- 

 plied before it becomes a carbonate, to ensure 

 its greatest vigor, but for different reasons.— 

 He, because it would impede decomposition, 

 and I, because it would accelerate it. By 

 applying it thus you derive all the benefit 

 which can possibly accrue. Its first effect is 

 as has been stated of a decomposing agent, 

 and in some cases neutralising acids. In its 

 after state I do not see how it can do much 

 good to a soil, except by a mechanical division 

 of its parts, and increasing its absorbing pow- 

 cr. Great benefits have followed from its 

 use, but an admixture of siliceous earth might 

 have done the same. M. 



East Bradford, Chester Co. Pa. { 

 February 1st, 1839. S 



For the Farmers' Cabinet. 



Deep Ploughing. 



It may be said in reply to the remarks of 

 »• Penn. Farmer," (vol. iii. " Farmers' Cabi- 

 net," page 127,) that he who decries till- 

 ing the soil seven inches deep is not only 

 " entirely ignorant of the practical part of 

 good ploughing," but is most deplorably igno- 

 rant of one of the fundamental principles of 

 good farming. We are so fully satisfied that 

 good crops are not to be expected unless the 

 soil is deeply and effectually ploughed and 

 turned up to the action of the atmosphere, 

 at least twice during the progress of each rota- 

 tion of crops, that we make it an essential point 

 to have the soil turned up to the average depth 

 of at least seven inches, and sometimes more. 

 We find no difficulty in accomplishing it with 

 one of Miles' bar-share ploughs, drawn by a 

 team of three good horses, harnessed abreast. 

 We are satisfied from numerous examples 

 that this is a necessary preparatory step to- 

 wards improving worn-out land.-, although we 

 in common with every good farmer fully admit 

 that something more \n requisite to make the 

 land rich and the crops good, than simply 

 ploughing deep without the other necessary 

 adjuncts. 



We are fully aware that " farming on paper 

 is readily done," also that practically, it takes 

 much hard work to improve the soil ; but we 

 do not admit or believe that farmers in gene- 



and not only so, but also in season, nt the 

 oddilional cost ofexira hands. We will cite 

 an e.vample in proof of this position, by say- 

 ing that having tried farming with the least 

 possible expense of labor, and finding it un- > 

 profitable, we wheeled about and pursued the 

 opposite course by doing every thing in the 

 best manner and in proper season. We now 

 have the pleasure and satisfaction of being 

 fully rewarded fur our extra toil and expense. 

 In conclusion, we fearlessly say that no farm- 

 er, within reach of a good market, and 

 having the use of his hands, and tlie blessings 

 of health, ought hereafter to think that he i 

 cannot afford the expense of enriching his; 

 soil, for rest -issured that mother earth is no< 

 niggard, but makes a rich return to all thosei 

 who deserve her bounties. D. L. 



Bucks CO. Pa. 1st mo. 19th, 1839. 



The following communications were read before the 

 Philadelphia Agricultural Society at its late meeting 

 and ordered for publication in the Farmers' Cabinet 



On tine use of Snlphate of Zilme in Agrl"< 

 I cnltnre. 



Some queries and suggestions submitted b | 



the consideration of the Agricultural Society' 



I from a hope that they may serve to elici' 



useful information on that important subjects 



1st. Does sulphuric acid in its free and xnn 



combined state attract moisture from tb< 



atmosphere ] 



2d. Does sulphate of lime, w-hich is a coni 



pound of lime, sulphuric acid and water, i 



its unchanged or undecomposed state, h> 



tract moisture from the atmosphere 1 



3d. Doessulphateoflime promote the growl' 



and perfection of vegetation ? 

 4th. Are its effects perceptible in seasons ( 

 moisture sufficient to promote the decor I 

 position of putrescent manures, and 

 serve as a solvent to prepare the vegetab 

 foodi 

 5lh. Are grasses on which sulphate of lin 

 has been recently used, commonly wi 

 with rfcw of mornings, when grasses in i\ 

 neighborhood on which it has not be>< 

 used are found to be destitute of moistur 

 6th. Are not the beneficial effects produC' 

 by sulphate of lime, in agriculture, prol 

 bly that of furnishing moisture 1 

 The preceding queries naturally lead to 1 

 following suggestions, which are probal 

 connected with the operations of sulphate 

 I lime in agriculture, and mny serve to refl( 

 1 a ray of light on that subject. 

 ; 1st. The constituents of the atmosphe 



I when chemically united in certain prop 

 tions, form nitric acid. 



, 2d. The formation of nitric acid from 



II atmosphere by the influence of decomj 



