The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1895-05-25
Terrscing Land for Rain storms.

T~erracing the land in hiily sections
of the country to prevent washings
from heavy storms is the best system we
have yet found applicable in this coun-
try. Not only in the South and West,
but in the New England States a good
system Of terracing has been found to
lessen the evils very greatly. All hill
sides are the hardest to convert into
profitable fields, because of the wash
ing caused by rain storms, either on the
surface or below. Even when the crops
are found that will thrive on the hills,
the action of the running water carries
away so much of the richest part OF The
soil that one must make a great outlay
every season for fertilizers.
A simple system of terracing is now
In use by a number of farmers in this
country, and the effectiveness of the
system, rs well as its very cheap and
simple work, should recommend the
plan to all others. Strips of light wood
or even poles should be nailed together
in the shape of a large A to lay off the
terraces, with a stride at the base Of
about fourteen feet. Stand the frame
upright on a perfectly level floor, and
tack a string in the apex of the letter.
shaped frame ana tie a pound weight to
it. Let the string and weight get per-
fectly still, and then raise one end of
the base exactly one and one-half inch
es. When the weight gets quiet again
in this position mark on the frame en-
actly where it swings. This implement
is invaluable for terracing a field prop
erly, and it will enable the farmer to do
the work scientifically and rapidly. BY
applying this terracing machine to the
field a fall of one and one-half inches in
every fourteen feet will be obtained,
and this is Just what science has taught
us TO be right.
Beginning at the highest point of the
field lay off with this frame a series of
terraces throughout the whole hillside.
The land should have the slope marked
by the implement until a ditch or some
large hollow is reached which will car
fy the water off freely. Sometimes
they are natural here and there, and il
will no be necessary to do anything
more, but wherever the slope is not suf-
licient it should be made SO according
10 the rule adopted.
AS the land is terraced off with the
hOlle-lhaue implement plenty OF stakes
should be ready to drive in the ground
% us to mark the course and depth of
the terraces. Beginning at the line OF
stakes then a two-horse pillow should
throw the soil from either side up to-
ward the stakes. This leaves the stakes
On the top of the terrace, and the soil
Is thrown up around them, while the
running water from the hillside will
then follow the groves OF either side.
If the pillow can not throw the soil up
deep enough other implements must be
used, but generally the pillow will an
swer. Thereafter every spring the
plow should be run through these same
burrows, throwing the soil up on the
terraces, and in this way they will be-
come permanent fixtures of the field,
heavily matted together with grass
roots. In planting on such a terraced
hill let the ows run crosswise instead
of up and down hill. The water will
then pass off slowly, and cause very lit
tie damage.