APPENDIX. 423 



they cannot at thefe Hoeings go too near to the 

 Rows, unlefs the Plough fhould tear out the Plants. 



If I may prefume to aflign the Caufe of this fur- 

 prifing Effect, it is, in my Opinion, the following •, 

 viz. This open Furrow has a double Surface of Earth, 

 which by the Nitre of the contiguous Atmofphere, is 

 pulverized to a great Degree of Minutenefs near the 

 Row. The Roots that the Plough cuts off on the 

 perpendicular Side of the Furrow, fend out new Fi- 

 bres to receive the Pabulum from this new-made Paf- 

 ture ; and alfo Part of this fuperfine Powder is con- 

 tinually falling down into the Bottom of the Furrow, 

 and there gives a very quick Growth to thofe Roots 

 that are next it, and a quick PafTage through it into 

 the Earth of the Interval, where they take likewife 

 the Benefit of the other Side of this pulverized Fur- 

 row. When it is faid, that Air kills Roots, it muft 

 not be underftood, that it kills a Plant, unlefs all, or 

 almolt all, its Root is expofed to it, as it is not in 

 this Cafe. Some think there are Roots that run ho- 

 rizontally below the Plough into the Interval ; but 

 of this I am not convinced. 



s Tis not often that we hoe above Four times ; and 

 then the Furrow is turned towards the Row at the 

 Third time only. 



There being no Danger from thefe Furrows lying 

 long open, we are not confined to any precife Dif- 

 tance between the times of Hoeing, for which we 

 need only regard the Weather, the Weeds, and our 

 own Convenience of Opportunity and Leifure. 



*Tis an Advantage when thefe Furrows lie open 

 on each Side of the double Row till Harveft ; for 

 then there need only Two Furrows to be plowed on 

 a Ridge to throw down the Partition in order for 

 planting the next Crop ; but if at the lad Hoeing 

 the Furrows are turned towards the Row, they mull 

 be plowed back again after Harveft before the Parti- 

 tion can be plowed : This requires double the time 

 E e 4 



