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weeds, leaves or cornstalks over the poles, and indeed over the 

 rocks also, and there will be a good ditch without the outlay of 

 any money. Of course the loose dirt will be thrown over either 

 the rocks or logs. Timber under ground in this way will last a 

 long time. 



But there is still another plan, in case the soil has any descent, 

 and there are few lauds in Tennessee without it, and that is by 

 means of a subsoil plow. Let a stout subsoil plow follow in the 

 furrow of a turning plow, both drawn by stout teams, and send the 

 subsoiler at least two feet deep. Let the furrows run up and down 

 the hill so as to give a regular descent to the water, and the hard 

 pan broken up by the subsoil will carry off all superfluous water 

 after rains in a very short time. This process is so effective that it 

 is pursued in some sections to the exclusion, entirely, of regular ' 

 draining. It will have to be repeated at intervals of three or four 

 years, and there will be but little disturbance to the sod, as the sub- 

 soiler has only an iron bar for a helve, which raises the surface so 

 slightly it can easily be pressed back with a roller. 



From all the testimony to be gathered on this subject, it is pretty 

 apparent that the cost of draining a meadow will be paid the first 

 year by the increased production of the crop. The after-crops will 

 be profits to the farmer. 



After what has been said in regard to almost every kind of grass, 

 it is almost needless to impress on the mind of the farmer the neces- 

 sity of thoroughly pulverizing the soil. Let it be well and deeply 

 broken up, and then with the harrow, drag and roller continue to 

 work it until it is smooth and not a .clod appears on the surface. 

 The roots of grasses are exceedingly delicate and cannot penetrate 

 the hard, dry lumps of soil, but will exhaust their energies in going 

 around or under them. Besides, in exactly the same proportion as 

 the clods exist, are the nourishing elements locked up from the use 

 of the grass. Another reason : When clods exist in great numbers,, 

 the ground will be rough and the seed will not get into the soil, or 

 will get in too deep to germinate. Thus seeds are lost and the 

 stand impaired. 



It is needless to say the soil must be fertile, for nothing will 

 thrive well on poor soil. If it is not rich it must be made so. 

 Should it be desired to sow a field that has been greatly exhausted, 

 a plan pursued in England is commended. The fall previous to 



