On S uh soil- Flail (jhin g . 



29 



ing off per acre altogether to the parallel subsoiling, although 

 I think the other is decidedly the best method. In December, 

 1839, one of the fields was ploughed, but no traces remained of 

 the subsoil-plough having been used. I expected, from the com- 

 plete breaking up of the subsoil, that the parts would have re- 

 mained distinct for years ; but such was not the case : they had 

 all run together, and were as compact as when first moved by the 

 plough, without even the appearance of a water-shake or fissure. 

 This I was not prepared to expect. Separated by a fence only is 

 another field of a similar description, which ^vas fallow at the 

 same time, but not subsoiled; the crop on this field was quite 

 equal to the other, A neighbour subsoiled one acre of a field 

 which was sown with beans : this field 1 frequently saw through 

 the summer, and during that period the part subsoiled was by no 

 means superior to the other." 



On reading this account my attention was naturally arrested 

 by the great difference between the produce of the two fields sub- 

 soiled by Mr, Black; and as it was important to ascertain whether 

 any sufficient cause could be assigned independent of the different 

 methods adopted in subsoil-ploughing them, I addressed him the 

 following questions: — Is the field which produced 35 bushels 

 per acre of better quality than the one which produced 27J ; or 

 was it better manured, or the seed-time more favourable? His 

 answer was as follows: — "The land (yiz., that which produced 

 35 bushels) is much inferior. I ascribe the superior crop to the 

 field having been more recently drained than the other. I have 

 always found the first crop after draining above an average. 

 Lime, too, was applied to this field two years before, which did 

 not appear to have acted until the water was taken off : and last, 

 although not least, it was subsoiled across the drains. As regards 

 manure, I consider the fields alike in that respect. Both fields 

 were sown under favourable circumstances." Draining after 

 lime appears quite adequate to account for this increased pro- 

 duce ; but even should we attribute a portion of it to subsoiling 

 across instead of parallel to the drains, the whole effect seems to 

 have vanished before the next ploughing, as we read in Mr. 

 Black's account. In confirmation of Mr. Black's views, I will 

 quote the opinion of ]Mr. Vansittart, of Kirkleatham, whose expe- 

 riments I had an opportunity of observing whilst in progress. I 

 need hardly add that they were made in the most judicious and 

 effectual manner, Upon subsoiling I have nearly made up my 

 mind, and am satisfied that it is not of permanent use on this 

 soil." We have here the experience of ]Mr. Vansittart, Mr. 

 Black, and a neighbouring farmer, all of whom agree in thinking 



