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the surface, then plowing with two horses and dragging." 3d. " Plow with a 

 horse and yoke of oxen and heavy plow, then follow with a drag, collect 

 the roots and burn them." In each of these methods I infer the bushes 

 are to be cut and burnt or removed. The first course, he thinks, should 

 only be adopted on a small scale, as the process is slow and expensive. 

 The second is effective, but also requires much more disbursement than the 

 last. The plowing in the third method may easily be performed by a span 

 of horses and one yoke of oxen. Mr. Wilson, in a careful account, made 

 the expense of grubbing his lands, and the work seemed to be admirably 

 executed, at $15 per acre. Mr. Bridget calculates it at a much higher rate. 

 It is very manifest that these lands should be cleared at an expenditure 

 much reduced below these figures. 



Dr. Peck, who has had long and familiar practical acquaintance with 

 the management of these lands, both in their rude and cultivated state, 

 proposes several methods which he has himself pursued, and which, if 

 practicable, reduces the process of clearing to a very simple and economi- 

 cal operation. It is proper to remark in connection with this subject, that 

 the wide spreading and massy roots of large trees which usually occur on 

 other new lands and so inconveniently impede the plow and drag, do not 

 now exist on these plains. The large roots of the oaks, which do not how- 

 ever, attain a great size, are chiefly tap roots, penetrating the ground ver- 

 tically, and not widely extending over the surface. The roots of the shrub 

 oaks and bushes, are soft and porous, readily severed by a sharp coulter, 

 and rapidly decay m the earth when their vitality is destroyed. Another 

 great facility to the plowing of these lands, even while filled with roots, is 

 the absence of all rocks and stones. These facts afford the basis of the 

 system recommended by Dr. Peck. One of the plans he suggests, is to 

 cut down the under-brush by a heavy scythe or bush hook after the timber 

 is removed ; burn this with all the rubbish upon the surface. When the 

 ground is cleared of these impediments, enter on it with a stout, heavy 

 plow, prepared with a sharp steel coulter, and a cutter attached to the point 

 and drawn by two yoke of cattle. With this force, he thinks everything 

 can be plowed up and turned under, except the few larger stumps, and 

 these he would leave for time to effect their decomposition. This course 

 would bring the land into immediate cultivation, but of course not into 

 the beautiful condition careful grubbing would accomplish. 



Another method Dr. Peck proposes is still more economical, but more 

 tardy in its results. Here he would simply cut and burn the underbrush, 

 remove the rubbish, and drag in a crop of rye with clover and timothy 

 seed. The bushes and the grain and grass will start together in the spring, 

 but the rye will ultimately attain the ascendancy. He cuts the rye at 

 harvest with a short straw. The crop will be small, but aids in remunera- 

 ting the labor. In August he cuts closely the young sprouts, which are as 

 tender at that season as corn stalks, with the grass. The mass affords 

 good coarse sheep fodder. Repeat for two or three years the operation, 

 cutting the bushes two or three times each season, when they will be 



