• PRINCIPLES OF TILLAGE. 115 



imparts to this apparent inert earth, more or less of the 

 elements of fertility. 



We have a good illustration of the advantages of artifi- 

 cially, but gradually, deepening the soil, in the practice 

 of Baron Von Voght, an eminent German agriculturist, 

 who in a few years transformed a thin, unproductive soil 

 into one of great depth and fertility. 



In 1813, the Baron undertook to improve the condi- 

 tion of an estate denominated Flottbeck, as a pattern 

 farm, and to make it an experimental farm for the north 

 of Germany. In 1829, he had carried his improvements 

 to so high a state of excellence, that he published, for the 

 benefit of the visiters who thronged to see him, a pam- 

 phlet, developing the principles, by the adoption of which, 

 his soil, naturally bad, had been raised to a state of high 

 productiveness. It is from a portion of this pamphlet, 

 for we have not seen the whole of it, that we collate the 

 following facts. 



The soil of Flottbeck is a mixture of sand and clay. 

 Its original depth of krume (mould) was only three inch- 

 es ; the surface was uneven, and the soil wet, water stand- 

 ing for a long time, and manure ineffectual on account of 

 the consequent low temperature. Fields could not be 

 sown, owing to quagmires, often till June. The winter 

 crops were full of tares and perennial weeds ; summer 

 crops abounded in wild radish and mustard, the clover 

 with wild chamomile, sorrel, &c., and the fields with 

 dog's grass, and other noxious plants. How many of 

 our farms now form a counterpart to this description of 

 Flottbeck ! 



The means of improving which the Baron instituted to 

 raise the condition, and increase the fertility of this farm, 

 consisted principally in — 



1. LeveUing the surface, and thorough drainage. 



2. Deepening the krume, or soil, at least one inch a 

 year, till he had gained a depth of fourteen inches — this 

 depth being requisite, in his opinion, for the roots of plants 

 to penetrate, and as a reservoir for moisture, to supply the 

 crop in time of dry weather. To obtain this depth, trench 

 ploughing {rayolt) was resorted to when necessary. 



