GRAIN. 63 



writer some thirty years years iigo, l)ut in fifteen years l)ecaine worth- 

 less, and has since been relaid at about the same cost as at first ; so 

 we infer that either of the above methods are loose ways of farming. 

 When drains are properly constructed, that is, with stone at the bot- 

 tom from six to eight inches in diameter, and covered with good flat 

 stone, leaving an aperture from six to eight inches square, ami the re- 

 mainder filled to within twelve or fifteen inches of the surface with 

 small stone and earth, the water that falls upon the soil does not remain 

 in, on on the surface, to stagnate, or run away over the surface, wash- 

 ing away the best of the soil; but gradually sinks down, carrying witli 

 it the fertilizing substances from the surface, for the nourishment of 

 plants, and with with it we may say, gives air and warmth, both es- 

 sential to the growth of plants. Under these new influences, the soil 

 becomes dry and warm, and plants, as we have reason to believe, flour- 

 ish, which would never grow on it to perfection, if they grew at all. 

 It is a fact, too, that such soils resist drought better than before. And 

 for the simple reason that the plants are better able to send down theii' 

 roots in search of food, without ever finding anything poi.sonous or 

 hurtful ; every part is penetrated with air, and conserjuently drier and 

 lighter. Such effects cannot be expected, however, the first year, in a 

 wet, clayey subsoil ; the change is gradual, but sure. We venture to 

 say that large portions of manure, or fertilizers applied to cold, wet, 

 clayey soils are not of so much value by fifty or seventy-five per cent., 

 as on the same soil when properly drained. 



We here suggest a method for growing a field of corn, on a piece of 

 grass land intended for that purpose next Spring. Commence at once 

 by drawing out manure from the barn cellar, and broadcast Uhe same, 

 until we have the reipired (Quantity for the field. Next Spring, have 

 the field plowed at a proper time, and planted as soon as the season 

 will permit, using a certain amount of bone meal, or superphosphate 

 upon the surface, for the purpose of giving the seed an early start, and 

 forcing the plant through June. We see no reason why a field of corn 

 may not be grown at much less expense than the common way of draw- 

 ing out the manure in the Spring, when " work drives," and when, 

 perhaps, hay and labor are bought at high prices. 



We have alluded to plowing, and what we would be Understood by 

 the term is, that the whole sod should be moved at a proper and uni- 

 form depth, and width ; — the whole sod completely turned. But what 

 observing farmer has not noticed plowing to be done " in this wise:"' — 

 in the first instance the implement used was one entirely unfit for the 

 work, and perhaps the plowman the same , consef[uently, there will be 

 places where the sod is cut fourteen or fifteen inches wide, and two- 

 thirds of it turned, and the other one-third unmoved. Other places, 

 the scd. perhaps, is' cut for several feet from two to three inches deep, 

 and again the point of the plow,or what should be the point, runs upon 

 the surface as many more feet, and then plunges into the soil to the full 

 extent, leaving the sod " tilted up" edgewise, to be levelled with the 

 so*callcd plowing by the harrow. Now, it is clear to our minds that 

 bad plowing cannot be remedied by harrowing, hoeing, or any other 



