Experiments in Suhsoil-PIoiitjlnng and Polatoe-Planting . 247 



be insignificant compared with the greater quantity of produce 

 and the greater certainty of a crop. 



It is not safe to draw a general inference from insulated facts ; 

 but I intend to repeat this experiment : and the great advantajre 

 of the Jom-nal is the opportunity which it affords for fixing the 

 attention of practical farmers on doubtful points, which require 

 elucidation, and which, when cleared, may lead to safe conclu- 

 sions of recognised importance and of universal application. 



I have the honour to be, 

 , Sir, _ 

 Your faithful servant, 



J, R. G. Graham. 



Netherhy, Cumherland^ 

 mil Nov., 1S39. 



Postscript. 



Since I addressed this letter to you I had a quarter of an acre 

 of the turnips pulled, both on the land which was subsoiled and 

 on the land which was trench-ploughed. The turnips have been 

 carefully weighed, and the result is as follows : — 



Weight of Turnips. 



Per Quarter-Acre. Per Acre. 

 Tons, cwt, qr. Tons. cwt. qr. 



Quarter of an Acre of White Globej 4 ]_ 19 1" 0 



Turnips on land Subsoiled . . / 



Quarter of an Acre of ditto on I , -^^ ^ -^2 q 



land Trench-ploughed . . , . / ^ 



Difference in favour of Sub-] c i i - 



soilmg over irenchnig . J 



The land subsoiled is certainly inferior to the land trench- 

 ploughed ; and I consider this experiment decisive agamst the 

 prudence of bringing to the surface subsoil, even of the richest 

 quality, before it has been mellowed bv the process which ?\Ir. 

 Smith, of Deanslon, recommends. 



Netherhy.llth Jan., 1840. 



