The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1885-10-31
HOW no PLoW.
Suggestions by Practical Agrlculturist--
Dead FurroWa.

BuEEelGlOn8 Dy = EEAcGACAA AkfaCuAGuElnt-
Dead Burrows.
Many farmers do not take the i'm
terest in this work they should, owing
partially to ignorance. or they do not
want to take the trouble to accom-
plish this work scientifically, supposing
there is nothing important about it.
Yet a great difference is observed in
good and bad blowing, and the crop is
invariably the result; hence a greater
interest Should be taken in this work,
and should some farmers follow the
example shown at some blowing
matches, it would be a great advan-
tage.
1t 10 usually the case that
blowing is commenced at full
depth by turning full-furrow
and thrown against the fence, more
than can be taken from the fence.
Also when q field is plowed in lands, a
full-furrow is turned up when back
furrowing. which makes a ridge
through the field. heavy for the team
to draw, and often causes trouble after
ward. Sometimes the moving machine
is running on the ridge, the guards
making marks in the dirt, the sections
working lively among the small stones
which sometimes crack and break
them.
Another disadvantage is, in case of
dry season, when blowing on such
back-furrow it is very difficult to keep
the plow in the ground. Leaving q
lrNtrk Ia. Il G.z~. sr 4
my estimation it can be avoided in
almost any shaped field, by working q
strip down to an equal width from end
to end, and then finish in manner l
shall further allude to. The ridge can
be avoided in two ways One way is
to set the pillow to draw only one-third
deep the first round, the next two
thirds, the third round the whole depth
you intend to pillow; by taking this
course you have level back-furrow
Yet there is the usual strip of land
covered under the first round, not
plowed by such back-furrowing, and
strip of weeds is often seen in summer
fallows or small grains. To avoid
this, set the plow one-third deep; ON re-
turning turn the new dirt back into the
furrow you made, and more with it;
the next furrow out throw on top of
the other two, then set the pillow at half
depth on returning, the same depth
out again, then set it the depth you in
tend to pillow. Thus the blowing is
commenced properly, and no ridged
back-furrow or strip of land covered
over.
Another good feature in blowing is
to keep the burrows straight, and this
can be done, and time is saved by so
doing. You save short work. Where
lands are struck out usually in long or
square fields, it will then be equal at
the finish. When at two burrows wide
set the pillow at half depth across the
piece, then set it the whole depth re-
turning; then strike out another land
one-third deep. By so doing the pillow
is at the other end of the field. Then
set the pillow half depth to bring back
the furrow left on the other land; thus
You have single dead furrow. Then
go to the other land One-third deep,
turn the dirt back on the furrow, the
next top of that, then half depth, next
whole depth. When the last land is to
be made, no other furrow to strike out,
you will have to go to the other end of
the field without blowing. in order to
bring back the last half furrow. Should
it be three-cornered or bowling
field, and you intend to finish in the
center. and the work coming together
at the narrow part of the field, let the
pillow run out Of the burrows at about
two burrows wide, set in ON the other
side, leaving strip through the piece,
the widest part worked down to two |
burrows VIDE Should the wide part
be in or near the center, you must go |
to the end of the piece to commence BY
setting the pillow TO finish, as have be.
fore stated. Thus you have single
dead furrow in most any shaped field.
Time is saved by doing this way, rather
than to do as some do-make two or
three extra rounds blowing in their
back burrows, turning up sod, or what
ever the top might be doing more hurt
than good. When making the single
dead furrow it is nearly filed by the
dSll or dragging, and is better for the
crop and machinery.-W g. HydeT, ia
Western Plousann