672 Transactions of the American Institute, 



April 27, 1869. 



Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the chair ; Mr. John W. CH.utBERS, Secretary. 



Deep versus Shallow Plowing. 



Tlie president read a letter from Mr. W. J. Pettee, Lakeville, Conn., 

 upon this subject as follows : 



In the discussions of your Fanners' Club I notice quite a discrepancy 

 of opinion in regard to the subject of deep plowing. I look upon thia 

 as a topic upon which no universal or invariable rule can be given, 

 but which must depend wholly upon contingent circumstances, as, 

 for instance, the nature of the soil, kind of crop to be put in, and 

 something which can only be positively determined by repeated and 

 carefully noted trials. When Mr. Greeley tells us he has received 

 great advantage in plowing or trenching certain soils on his Chapuqua 

 farm some fifteen to twenty inches, he may not be fully warranted in 

 enforcing the idea that all soils should be stirred to the same depth 

 uniforml_y. 



But some general rules may, perhaps, be given regarding this dis- 

 puted topic. For instance, heavy soils should be plowed deeper than 

 lighter ; more shallow plowing for corn than for clover, and wheat, 

 or rye"; especially does clover need a deep soil, its rootlets extending 

 to a great depth. Kcference should also be had to the nature of the 

 subsoil ; that wliicli is wholly made up of clay should be disturbed 

 but slif^htly. A proper way for a fiirmer to determine what is correct 

 as to his own soil, is to plow a field at different depths, noting care- 

 fully the effects on the ensuing crop. This is, we think, one of the 

 many themes in agriculture where practice is much to be preferred 

 to theorizing. 



Lands ix Virginia. 

 Chairman, — We have M'ith ns to-day a gentleman well known in 

 the country, and especially tamiliar with the various parts of the old 

 dominion. He is, I believe, in some sort a representative of that 

 great and ancient commonwealth. I take pleasure in presenting to 

 the club, Gen. Imboden, of Richmond, Virginia. 



AnDiiEss BY Gebt. Imboden. 

 In appearing before a northern agricultural society, and urging the 

 claims of my State upon all' who are looking for cheap lands, I am 

 aware that I encounter in many minds a preconception that is not 



