r L o w I X G . 85 



erly and -well. First, the quality and condition of the soil is to be 

 considered. If not already in a fit state, the work of preparation 

 should be thoroughly consummated. Heaps of stones, rocks, and 

 roots of trees and shrubs, and every other impediment should be 

 removed. The soil should be neither too wet, nor too dry. A suit- 

 able moisture is hig^ily necessary to a smoothly-turned furrow, and 

 the work is done with much greater ease. A day or two following a 

 moderate rain, is a suitable period for plowing, more particularly on 

 sward land. Secondly, the plow must be of the right kind and con- 

 structed on scientific principles. No man, however skillful, can do 

 the work well with a poor plow. And there is no good excuse for 

 using poor plows, at the present day. American ingenuity has 

 brought the implement so nearly to perfection, that few more im- 

 provements can be made, and the prices are low enough, so that every 

 farmer, however moderate his circumstances, can own the very best. 

 We have a great many excellent varieties. There are so many, that 

 do the work nearly perfectly, that farmers can select without much 

 hesitation. 



The different varieties have their peculiar excellencies. Some are 

 more suitable for stony, others for sandy land. Some do the work 

 best in light, others in heavy soils. Another is suitable for one sec- 

 tion of country, while a different style and size is just the thing, 

 where the first would do badl}'. All latitudes, lands, and tastes can 

 be suited and well served, and the plowman, if he possesses a proper 

 jixdgment, can easily adapt his implement to the condition of his land. 



Thirdly : a proper and well-trained team, is an important item in 

 good plowing. One that will go over the most ground, Avith a good 

 deal of hawing, and geeing, and goading, is by no means the best 

 team. More land may be badly plowed, to be sure, by " cutting and 

 covering," and leaving the Avork half done, but what are the results ? 

 The team, at night, will be jaded — the plowman hoarse and full of 

 vexation, by hallooing to his team, and lame in every joint ; and — 

 worse than all — the plowed field will appear more like the " sea in 

 a storm," than a lot of well-turned furrows, and will be withal ill 

 prepared for future use. One acre of sward land, is enough for two 

 yokes of oxen to plow, in a day. They should be trained to work 

 evenly and without fretting. They should be of the right age, con- 

 dition, and strength, to draw the plow steadily along the furrow. 

 They should be well fed, kindly treated, and have a suitable driver. 



The plowman often drives, himself, when plowing with a single, 



