120 PRINCIPLES OF TILLAGE. 



from one point, and the weakened vital germ, which, ly- 

 ing at the depth ol^ 1.680 inches, shoots forth few roots, 

 but a thin tube, which rises as far as the surface, where 

 the knot is formed, whence the weakened germ pushes 

 forth a single and sickly plant. 



" The result of this observation was, that we took 

 every possible pains to give the surface, to a depth of from 

 1.880 to 2.820 inches, the necessary state of pulveriza- 

 tion, to divide the thickly-sown seed equally upon it, and 

 to give it as thin a covering of the pulverized soil as pos- 

 sible. But for this we were entirely without imple- 

 ments. 



" The grubber, indeed, gave looseness to the surface, 

 but did not destroy the small clods. The roller pressed 

 the soil too firmly, and, if it happened to rain, a fresh pro- 

 cess became necessary. The usual harrow, with teeth 

 6.580 inches apart, drew, in a ground previously har- 

 rowed, lines in which seed sown by the best sower would 

 fall, and then stand too thickly, while a surface of 2.280 

 inches was left between these hues, which contained few 

 plants, but became a nursery for weeds. 



" Then it occurred to us, (after the usual grubbing and 

 harrowing,) to pass with the iron Mecklenburg harrow 

 reversed, the upper side of it being flat upon the surface, 

 till all the small clods were pressed into a powder ; then 

 I had harrows made, the teeth of which are only from 

 1.410 to 1.880 inches wide apart, and in the Flemish 

 fashion, placed in a slanting angle. With these we passed 

 sharply over this finely-pressed soil, with the horse fas- 

 tened to the middle, and afterwards to one corner, after 

 which we sowed. The corn came to lie in lines 1.410 

 inches apart, and was harrowed in crosswise, with the 

 drag teeth of the close harrow,* and by this means the 

 seed was shghtly covered, and not again displaced. 



" By this mode of cultivation, it was found that every 

 germ immediately shot forth strong roots and several stems 

 at once ; and an experience of several years has shown 

 an increase of produce of from 20 to 30 per cent, occa- 



* With the teeth slanting forward. They are called drags when 

 the teeth slant backwards. 



