Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-03-18
Flows and Flowing.

Importance of the pillow it is said to be
the 'father of implements 1t was no
doubt among the first tools fashioned
and used by the hand of man.
A brief reference and description of
the original model used in ancient
times, and also at the present period in
many parts of the world, win serve to
show the farmers present how much
better provided for they are than were
the farmers of antiquity.
The original pillow consisted merely
OF the trunk of small tree, which had
branches opposite each other, one
branch forming the share and the other
the handles, while the body formed the
pole or beam. This is fastened to the
yoke OF a pair Of bullocks of the size of
common two-year-old American steers
The cattle are yoked so far apart that
the plowman has room to operate his
pillow close to their hind feet. This al
lows him to readily catch hold of their
tails, because these bullock drivers will
insist on regulating the motion of their
cattle by jerking and twisting their
tails with their hands.
This manner of blowing has re-
manned unchanged for centuries in
many parts of Europe and in places
even upon this continent in Mexico.
But the Romans, progressive and
practical people, largely improved the
pillow by adding the coulter and mould
board and attaching wheels to prevent
the share from entering the soil too
deep. But these improvements, how
ever valuable, were scarcely in keeping
with the Importance of the subject, and
II has been left to the inventive mind
of the present century to develop and
perfect the pillow we have at the present
time.
Wisconsin is no. SO young state but
that wooden mould-boards have been
used here. Aud many present have
used and seen sheet iron moulds that
required in many soils the use of the
paddle to remove the soil that would
stick to the surface.
Iron followed wood and within few
years steel has been used almost exclu-
sively in this construction.
The sharp competition has COM
PEELED the manufacturers to use the
best material and procure the latest de-
vices to facilitate the ease with which
they may be operated by man and
team.
As the pillow is the most important
implement called into service, to obtain
a successful harvest, in the selection
of it. due consideration should be given
to all the advantage derived from im-
provements, and procure for man and
team the economy of time, labor, and
power by the selection of such as will
produce the best results.
The prime object to be accomplished
in blowing is to invert and thoroughly
pulverize the soil. This will enable the
roots of the growing crop to penetrate
to all parts of the soil in search of plant
food, also it will enable the light, air
and rain to enter the soil.
From practical experience it has been
found that the time of blowing has
much to do in accomplishing the above
results. Hence all blowing that can
possibly be done in the fall should be
done, that the soil may be exposed to
the influence of rain and frost during
the winter.
Many other reasons exist for fall
blowing in Wisconsin. The limited
time of the growing season leaves but
little time to pillow in the spring for
crops. The small grain should be
sown as soon as the soil is in proper
condition to pillow and corn planting u.s.
ually follows, leaving very little time to
devote to blowing at this season of the
year. Our corn fields remain unplow ed
on account of pasturing the stalks dur
ing the winter and must of necessity be
plowed in the spring. But all stubble
and sod ground, seeded or pastured
for several years should be plowed dur
the autumn months. Wheat oats and
corn will mature and yield more bush
els to the acre, the roots take better
hold, and the grain usually stands bet
ter, thus giving it a better chance 10
mature and ripen.
The depth of blowing should vary
with different soils. Many have an
idea that deep blowing brings the larg-
est crop in all cases. This will not
hold good IN spring blowing for oats
upon prairie soil, the deep mellow soil
forcing an excessive growth of straw,
and tending to rust and lodge in
many parts of the field during wet
season. During drouth the roots do
not receive moisture enough and the
grain ripens without fully maturing.
In such cases shallow blowing will in
sure It larger yield, as the crop can
withstand excessive rains or drouth
Where the soil is thin, by blowing
under manure or crop of clover we
may deepen the soil. gradually increas-
ing the depth of blowing from year to
year.
Flowing around the whole piece or
striking out lands is being discarded by
many. Commencing in the middle
and working out has many advantages
over the former plan. Less dead fur
rows, no part of the plowed ground
tramped al the corners. greater ease in
turning corners, less liability to wash
By heavy rains, and the soil thrown to-
ward the middle of the field, instead OF
along the fence.
All holIows and gulies should be
seeded and left unplowed. Their cul-
tivation will insure bitches where the
land is billy.
Flowing is the first step in farming.
Let us agricuturists start right and
then go ahead. for in all ages tiling the
soil has been regarded as the most hon
orable occupation and in enliuhtenad