Fall plowing

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Fall Plowing

I desire to call the attention of those who till the soil, especially those who may go into the business of farm-gardening or seed-growing, to the importance, in my opinion, of plowing land in the fall. The subject has been discussed at various times, and while some have asserted that it is productive of but little or no good results, yet there are some who deem this practice of great importance as being vastly beneficial to the soil.

It is the custom almost universally among market-gardeners, with whom it is important to have the soil fine and free from lumps, to plow their ground deeply and harrow thoroughly after the crops have been removed in the fall, for they understand full well there is nothing which will so completely aid in pulverizing the soil as the action of frost, and being loosened by the plow, the frost can act more effectually during the winter ; and moreover, tho sun acts more forcibly upon it in the spring ; consequently, it thaws quicker, and can be worked earlier than when left as the previous crop was taken from it.

Some contend that on fall-plowed land the snows of winter are as beneficial as an ordinary dressing of manure, and while I can not vouch for the truth of this, yet there can be no doubt that the snow collects and brings with it the gases and impurities floating in the air, which may be beneficial to the soil, and can, of course, become more thoroughly impregnated where the land is newly plowed.

One thing is positively certain, that land plowed in the fall or early winter can be plowed again in the spring earlier and easier and more free from lumps than that not fall-plowed, and this with the comparative ease with which it can be worked during the summer will more than compensate for the time consumed in extra plowing, to say nothing of t'he increase of crops brought about by the land being in suitable condition for the roots to take hold, and to find nourishment for the growing plant.