Page:The plains of Long Island.djvu/18

 the surface, then plowing with two horses and dragging." 3d. "Plow with a horse and yoke of oxen and heavy plow, then follow with a drag, collect the roots and burn them." In each of these methods I infer the bushes are to be cut and burnt or removed. The first course, he thinks, should only be adopted on a small scale, as the process is slow and expensive. The second is effective, but also requires much more disbursement than the last. The plowing in the third method may easily be performed by a span of horses and one yoke of oxen. Mr. Wilson, in a careful account, made the expense of grubbing his lands, and the work seemed to be admirably executed, at $15 per acre. Mr. Bridger calculates it at a much higher rate. It is very manifest that these lands should be cleared at an expenditure much reduced below these figures.

Dr. Peck, who has had long and familiar practical acquaintance with the management of these lands, both in their rude and cultivated state, proposes several methods which he has himself pursued, and which, if practicable, reduces the process of clearing to a very simple and economical operation. It is proper to remark in connection with this subject, that the wide spreading and massy roots of large trees which usually occur on other new lands and so inconveniently impede the plow and drag, do not now exist on these plains. The large roots of the oaks, which do not however, attain a great size, are chiefly tap roots, penetrating the ground vertically, and not widely extending over the surface. The roots of the shrub oaks and bushes, are soft and porous, readily severed by a sharp coulter, and rapidly decay in the earth when their vitality is destroyed. Another great facility to the plowing of these lands, even while filled with roots, is the absence of all rocks and stones. These facts afford the basis of the system recommended by Dr. Peck. One of the plans he suggests, is to cut down the under-brush by a heavy scythe or bush hook after the timber is removed; burn this with all the rubbish upon the surface. When the ground is cleared of these impediments, enter on it with a stout, heavy plow, prepared with a sharp steel coulter, and a cutter attached to the point and drawn by two yoke of cattle. With this force, he thinks everything can be plowed up and turned under, except the few larger stumps, and these he would leave for time to effect their decomposition. This course would bring the land into immediate cultivation, but of course not into the beautiful condition careful grubbing would accomplish.

Another method Dr. Peck proposes is still more economical, but more tardy in its results. Here he would simply cut and burn the underbrush, remove the rubbish, and drag in a crop of rye with clover and timothy seed. The bushes and the grain and grass will start together in the spring, but the rye will ultimately attain the ascendancy. He cuts the rye at harvest with a short straw. The crop will be small, but aids in remunerating the labor. In August he cuts closely the young sprouts, which are as tender at that season as corn stalks, with the grass. The mass affords good coarse sheep fodder. Repeat for two or three years the operation, cutting the bushes two or three times each season, when they will be