THE CULTIVATOR, 
105 
1851, 
jilTTlUHIimUl 
Rugghs, Nourse , Mason CoS$ Furrow Plow , No. 72 —Furrows 7 6 t/11 and 12 inches. 
Of Plows and Plowing, 
Editors of the Cultivator-— When I began farming, 
I found that my lands had never been plowed over four 
to five inches deep. By long use of the plow, and the 
oft-repeated pressure of the cattle’s feet in furrows of 
this depth, a hard crust or pan had been formed, through 
which the roots of the grasses and other crops did not 
penetrate, Not being able by my own reflections to dis¬ 
cover any good reason why the roots of my crops should 
be confined within so narrow limits, and finding that the 
standard authorities in agriculture almost invariably re¬ 
commended deeper plowing, I resolved at once to give 
the crops a greater range of pasture. Each field, in its 
regular order, was accordingly broken up six inches 
deep. The additional soil thus brought to the surface 
was allowed to remain there, subject to the influences 
of the atmosphere, and of good cultivation. When the 
fields were ready for the next rotation, I found the roots 
of the grasses had extended just as low as I had plowed, 
and that, to all appearance, the soil was of uniform 
quality to the depth of six inches. This state of things 
pleased me so well that I determined to plow still deep¬ 
er ; and the fields were accordingly broken up seven in¬ 
ches deep. It is true, the appearance of the surface of 
the inverted furrows was rather suspicious and forbid¬ 
ding^ but I had hopes that the agents that had operated 
so kindly before would act favorably again. They did 
so; and the crops were satisfactorily increased At the 
time for the next rotation, I found the grass-roots had 
penetrated and formed themselves into net-work just 
as low as I had plowed. I had now become well satis¬ 
fied that deep plowing was better for me than shallow 
plowing; and I have accordingly been slowly but con¬ 
stantly deepening the soil, until portions of the fields 
oear a furrow nine inches deep 5 and as many grass-roots 
will now be seen at this depth as were formerly seen at 
die depth of six inches. The crops are good; for their 
roots can now strike deep, and expand, and luxuriate, 
and gather up nourishment, in formerly forbidden 
boundaries. 
I think it may be said, generally, that deep plowing 
should be the rule, and shallow plowing the exception. 
It is true, that some soils may never, under any circum¬ 
stances, bear as deep a furrow as others; then, again, 
where the surface soil is by nature very thin, and the 
subsoil is very poor, the process of creating a fertile soil 
eight inches in depth is a work of time, patience, and 
skill; and though it be the work of a life-time, it may 
yet be a very profitable work. But the soil of by far a 
majority of our farms may be deepened an inch or so at 
a time, if accompanied by liberal manurings and good 
cultivation. In other words, a suitable range for the 
roots of our crops may be obtained in a few years. In 
no case, however, should the surface plow be plunged 
into a poor subsoil at hap-hazard. 
As soon as I was ready to turn sod-furrows seven 
inches deep, my plows began to be troubled to canry 
themselves erect and do as good work as at six inches 
deep. At eight inches deep they did not do nice work, 
and at nine inches deep they could not work at all, un 
til I added some contrivances of my own. 
About a year ago, I called upon Messrs. Ruggles, 
Nourse, Mason & Co., and upon stating the difficulties I 
had experienced with my plows,they remarked that there 
was quite a growing demand for plows for deep work; and 
they at once evinced a most commendable readiness to 
undertake such a series of experiments, regardless of 
expense, as should enable them to supply, in the best 
manner, this demand of an advancing agriculture. They 
made a plow that gave me satisfaction, for it could turn 
a furrow a foot deep, and it did not choke under the 
beam. The making and trial of this plow suggested 
further improvements, and these in turn led to others. 
The various experimental trials may be summarily stated 
as follows: 
1. To make a plow to turn furrows ten to twelve inches 
deep, and to turn them without choking under the beam. 
