NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



109 



Fir 2. 



Ruggles, Nourse, Mason <Sf Co.''s Furrow Plough, No. 72 — Furrows 7 by 11 and 12 inches. 



PLOUGHS AND PLOUGHING. 



This is one of the most important subjects that 

 comes under the consideration of the cultivator. A 

 good plough and its proper use seems to be at the 

 foundation of good husbandry. It is the first pro- 

 cess, and the main process in tillage. Within a 

 short period ploughs have been so improved that 

 one-half of the labor has been saved, and some have 

 thought that so great an improvement had brought 

 this valuable implement to perfection. 



But this is not the case; great improvements are 

 still going on, particularly for the purpose of adapt- 

 ing ploughs to various soils, and to different pur- 

 poses. Among those who have recently taken a 

 deep interest in this matter is Hon. F. Holbrook, 

 of Brattleboro', Vt., well known to our readers as 

 one of our correspondents; and we have no doubt 

 that his investigations and well-directed exertions 

 in the cause will have a favorable result in facilita- 

 ting and improving the operations of the farmer. — 

 We copy the following able article of Mr. Holbrook 

 from the March number of the Albany Cultivator, 

 and its utility w'ill be an ample apology for its ne- 

 cessarily great length. 



When I began farming, I found that my lands 

 had never been ploughed over four to five inches 

 deep. By long use of the plough, and the oft-re- 

 peated pressure of the cattle's feet in furrows of 

 this depth, a hard crust or pan had been formed, 

 through which the roots of tlie grasses and other 

 crops did not penetrate. Not being able by my 

 own reflections to discover any good reason why 

 the roots of my crops should be confined within so 

 narrow limits, and finding that the stanilard author- 

 ities in agriculture almost invariably recommended 

 deeper ploughing, I resolved at once to give tlu' 

 crops a greater range of pasture. Each field, in 

 its regular order, was accordingly broken up six 



inches deep. The additional soil thus brought to 

 the surface was allowed to remain there, subject to 

 the influences of the atmosphere, and of good culti- 

 vation. When the fields were ready for the next ro- 

 tation, I found the roots of the grasses had extend- 

 ed just as low as I had ploughed, and that, to all ap- 

 peai'ance, the soil was of unitbim quality to the 

 depth of six inches. This state of things pleased me 

 so well that I determined to plougli still deeper; and 

 the fields were accordingly broken up seven inches 

 deep. It is true, the appearance of the surface of 

 the inverted furrows was rather suspicious and for- 

 bidding; but I had hopes that the agents that had 

 operated so kindly before would act favorably again. 

 They did so; and the crops were satisfactorily in- 

 creased. At the time for the next rotation, I found 

 the grass-roots had penetrated and Ibrmed them- 

 selves into net-work just as low as I had ploughed. 

 I had now become well satisfied that deep plough- 

 ing was better for me than shallow ploughing; and 

 I have accordingly been slowly hut constantly 

 deepening the soil, until portions of the fields bear 

 a furrow nine inches deep; and as many grass-roots 

 will now be seen at tliis depth as were formerly 

 seen at the depth of six inches. The crops are good; 

 for their roots can now strike deep, and expand, 

 and luxuriate, and gather up nourishment, in form- 

 erly fi)rbidden boundaries. 



I think it may be said, generally, that deep 

 ploughing should be the rule, and shallow plough- 

 ing the exception. It is true, that some soils may 

 never, under any circumstances, bear as deep a 

 furrow as others; then, again, where the surface 

 soil is by nature very thin, and the subsoil is very 

 poor, the process of creating a fertile soil eight 

 inches in depth is a work of time, patience, and 

 skill; and though it be ihe work of a life-time, 

 it may yet be a very profitable work. But the 

 soil of by fir a majority of our farms may be 

 deepened an inch or so at a time, if accompanied Ity 

 liberal manurings and good cultivation. In other 

 words a suitable range for the roots of our crops 



