The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-03-31
FLOWING AND NARROWING

Cuaugeu mucn IN 2UOU years, as has
been stated, but individual plows have
been greatly improved, SO that the
draft is much les and the labor for the
operator greatly reduced Scientific
principles have been studied, and the
| plOw has been so constructed that re-
sistance Is reduced to a minimum,
while doing the work most effectively
! The most recent improvement is the
self sharpening ploW point, consisting
of layers Of edges, so that as one wears
eff a new and sharp edge is presented
| instead of a dull surface. This max, s
the draft much easier and saves the
bother and expense of resharpenirg
A great variety Of implements have
been tried as substitutes for the plow,
but they have not proven satisfa2sO Tory
under all conditions.
The depth of piowing has been the
cause IF almost endless controversy.
In the corn belt, es a rule, moderately
deep plowiDg has given most satlsfac
tory results, all things considered. IC
| is obviously unwise to make any great
variation in the depth to which any
one field is plowed during one season,
for by suddenly lowering the plow two
or three inches, a cold, raw earth Is
thrown out on top. This is unsuited to
the best development OF the plant, and
until the air and sun have aft c-ed it
for G couple of years. it will not be in
the best condition. The obj c5 of plOw-
ing is TO get the upper layers thor
oughly loosened and pulverized, SO that
the plant roots can readily penetrate
them. The loosened surface acts as a
sponger for absorbing and retaining
moisture until needed by the growing
crops. 1t does not matter whether the
upper surface be turned or not; nor
does it make much difference by what
means this breaking or lcosening up ia
accomplished. If shallow blowing
al d subsollIng will answer the purpose
follow that practice. If, however, this
condition cannot the secured except by
deep plowing. it usually will pay to
pIow deep. Ga very wet low ground
deep plowing Is obviously unnecessary,
as the retention of moisture does not
have to be looked after so carefully.
In sandy or very loose soil deep plOw
ing Is not so essential, as the roots can
easily find a passage aud the land g in
a condition to retain large quantities of
water. The above applies more parti
culariy to the preparation of land for
wheat ard corn. ShalIower blowing
will answer very well for oats aud
grass seeds. Three inches is usually
suffi eicnt for these Ia ter crops, while
for corn aud wheat six or seven give
best results.
At one time the various riding and
wheeled plOws were not universally
liked, as they were considered horse
killers. This heavy draft feature has
teen eliminated sonf8w hat, and as the
work IS done better az as hoIs-s are
80 cheap, it is certainly advisable TO
buy them. Human strength is SO much
more valuable than that of the horse
that it would pay to have an extra
animal or two rather than exhausg the
farmer or his hired man.
The preparation Of the land just be
fore planting demands more and more
attention, es the soil becomes less pro
uctive and drouCEs more ire quent and
severe. Ordinarily the cornfield is
narrowed unCl the surface is level,
little attention being given to the con
dItIon of the soil more than two inches
below the surface With several sea
soEs of severe drouth, however, it has
become necessary to so pulveriz9 and
compact the plowed portion that large
air spaces do not remain, allowing the
excessive penetration of air and conse
quent detrimental evaporation. This
thorough preparation is best accom-
pIished by means of disk or acme har
rows, ordinary toorhed harrows and
dregs The first named penetrate
much deeper tn N the ordinary har-
row, break up clods and eliminate air
| spaces. If the field is disked once or
twice, then harrow with a heavy
smoothing or straight toothed harrow,
it will usually be III first class condition.
A drag will do much to pulverize clods
on the surf CO and compact the soil
bu5 II does not pulveriz3 the lower layer
of the plow, d portion. Rolling has
much the same effect and is a valuable
aid when the weather is quite dry, but
during the wet season it may do in
jury by compe ec5ing the surface and