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On Trench Ploughing, By Richard Peters-, 



Read March 8th, 1808* 



I did not take sufficient notice of a part of a valuable 

 communication, by Mr. Kirk ; entitled " a substitute 

 for trench ploughing y'''^ in which he condemns the sub- 

 ject, for which it is given as a substitute, until I saw it 

 printed off. It is my habit to overlook what does not 

 please me, and enjoy the satisfaction arising from a- 

 greeable, and instructive, or practically useful informa- 

 tion. But as the society has offered premiums for trench 

 ploughing, and culture on grounds thus . prepared ; I 

 think it a duty, to give my practical knowledge on the 

 subject, as concisely as possible. And this, without 

 the least intention to disapprove of Mr. Kirk'^s apparent- 

 ly next best method. That trench ploughing has some 

 disadvantages, and will not apply in all soils, is certain- 

 ly true. But where is the operation in husbandry to be 

 found, of which the same obser^^ations may not as tru- 

 ly be made ? Let it be recollected that deep and trench 

 ploughing, are very different operations, both as to mode 

 and effect. 



The burying the old soil, exhausted of every fertiliz- 

 ing quality, filled with the seeds of pestiferous weeds, 

 and indestructible stocks and roots ; with the bulbs 

 and seeds of garlic, St. John's wort and the daisy ; and 

 other such otherwise unconquerable hosts of foes to my 

 culture of profitable crops ; was my motive for trench- 

 ing progressively, at least fifty acres of my farm. Tur- 

 ning down fertile vegetable mould, and bringing up 



