PROPER TILLAGE 67 



this is not done, if the furrow is wider than the plough can 

 turn, the parts not broken up will obstruct the roots, and pre- 

 vent the free circulation of air and water. The water, set- 

 tling in the creases of the furrows on the sub-soil, will form al- 

 ternate wet and dry ridges, which will injure the delicate parts 

 of the roots. When the soil is only partly broken, but a small 

 part of it is brought to bear upon the roots, and hence the 

 nourishment is withheld from the crop. 



(2) The soil should he deeply ploughed. This is especially 

 necessary for root crops, and highly useful for any crop, pro- 

 vided sufficient manure is added. Ten inches of tillage depth 

 are far preferable to six inches, because the former depth will 

 keep the soil drier, and render it capable of being cultivated 

 much earlier. Such a depth renders the soil less subject to 

 drought, in consequence of furnishing a larger stratum, pos- 

 sessing the properties of a sponge, to absorb the water and re- 

 tain it for the wants of the plant. Such a soil will be a better re- 

 tainer of heat ; and will furnish a better medium for the ac- 

 tion of chemical and other agents, which are necessary to the 

 most vigorous growth of vegetables. 



The experiments of Baron Von Vought, upon the estate 

 of Flottbeck, Germany, fully establishes the utility of deep til- 

 lage. After making thousands of experiments during thirteen 

 years, he came to the conclusion, that a tillage depth of from 

 ten to fourteen inches was vastly preferable to a less depth. 

 And Von Thaer estimates the value of soils, with a flat and 

 deep mould, in the following proportions. If with a cultiva- 

 ted soil three inches in depth, the land is worth thirty-eight 

 dollars per acre, that of five inches will be worth fifty-six dol- 

 lars ; that of eight inches will be worth sixty-two dollars, and 

 that of eleven inches, seventy-four dollars. Each inch of 

 mould between six and ten inches, increases the value eight 

 per cent. 



The importance of deep tillage may be inferred, from the 

 fact, that some plants, as lucerne and sainfoin, are said to have 



