Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 November 1879 — Plowing in the Fall. [ARTICLE]

Plowing in the Fall.

After all that has been written on the subject of fall plowing, it would seem almost superfluous to add anything more, and it is not for the purpose of saying anything new at this time, but merely to keep in view a few of the chief benefits in its favor. There are those who do not appear to sufficiently appreciate the importance of this matter, often procrastinating the work until the severity of the weather prevents plowing until spring. Some of the prominent advantages of fall plowing have been stated as follows: October and November are deemed an excellent time to break up sod and land for planting the following spring. The weather then is cool ana bracing and the team strong and hearty for the work; while the weather in spring is more relaxing and the team less able; and spring’s work being always hurrying, it saves time to dispatch as much of the plowing as possible during the previous autumn. —~- Sod land broken up late in autumn will be quite free from grass the following spring, the robts of the late overturned sward being so generally killed by the immediately succeeding winter that not mnch grass will start in the spring. The frosts of winter disintegrate the E lowed land, so that it readily crumles into line particles in spring, and a deep, mellow seed-bed is easily made. The chemical changes and modifications resulting from atmospheric action during the winter, develop latent fertility in the upturned furrows, which, together with the mellowing influences, materially increases the crop. Most kinds of insects are either wholly destroyed, or the depredations materially checked, by late fall plowing, especially the common white grub and the cut-worm. Corn stubble land may be plowed late in fall, and thus be ready for very early sowing in spring, thereby going far to insure a good crop of grass—the roots of the new seeding getting hold well, or being well established before the drouths of summer come.

Where the soil is fine-grained and unctions, and close, or where there is a hard-pan of good quality, deep plowing may be at once resorted to, with decided advantage. Where the subsoil is poorer, the plowing may still be advantageously deepened by degrees, say an inch at each new breaking up. But in by far the majority of cases, deep plowing may be the rule with safety, while shallow plowing may be the exception. The subsoil turned up will grow several shades darker by spring. The frosts and atmospheric influences of winter will mellow the soil, the inorganic elements and all latent fertility will be made more active for benefiting the crop. In spring, spread the manure ana plow it m, or otherwise work it in or mingle it with the soil, to the depth, say of four inches, a little more or less, and you have the very best attainable condition for realizing good crops. Deeper plowing may thus be practiced than would at all times be safe or expedient, if the plowing be delayed till spring. —Western Rural.