MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 495 



plough. We have never yet witnessed a team of this descrip- 

 tion continue to labor, day after day, ploughing the furrow so 

 deep as it ought to be, without encountering too much fa- 

 tigue. 



We have yet to learn of any serious disadvantages accruing 

 from deep ploughing, but are fully persuaded of many advan- 

 tages. If we do not mistake, the public mind is fast inclining 

 to deep ploughing. Scarcely an agricultural paper is issued, 

 that does not contain an account of some extraordinary crop, 

 almost always preceded by deep ploughing. So often have we 

 witnessed its benefits in the growth of grass, corn, grain, and 

 vegetables, that we should be false to our duty, if, in speaking 

 of ploughing, we did not in this manner urge upon the farmer 

 the importance of deepening his soil. We are not able to 

 name the crop that is not so benefited. Even those vegetables 

 that grow apparently upon the surface, we know are much ben- 

 efited by stirring the earth occasionally to the depth of ten or 

 twelve inches. Of this we can bear testimony from much ob- 

 servation. 



Of late, we have greatly admired the operation of the Michi- 

 gan subsoil plough, and we believe it is destined to have a 

 highly favorable influence upon our culture. By laying the 

 tough-rooted sod underneath, especially when fully cut and 

 fairly turned flat, as it should be, without doubling over, it is 

 left to pulverize as the roots of the grass decay, and the ammo- 

 nia thus disengaged comes forward, just at the right time, to 

 invigorate the tender fibres of the growing vegetables. The 

 second strata of the soil, thrown uppermost free of roots, is 

 readily broken and commingled with the compost or other 

 dressing that may be applied. Wo have heard it said, by men 

 of much practical experience, that by the aid of this plough, in 

 one season, the earth can be as well pulverized and prepared to 

 be lain down to grass, as is ordinarily done by the common 

 plough in two. This, in those sections of the country where 

 it is a primary object with the farmer to keep his land in the 

 best condition for the production of grass, is a decided improve- 

 ment. Some of the ploughs of this description have not cut 

 the upper furrow slice so fully and turned it so flatly, as it 



