IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOIL 45 



at frequent intervals. A point three feet higher 

 than the first terrace line is now measured with the 

 level, and a second contour line is staked out as be- 

 fore. This process is continued until the entire field 

 is staked out with contour lines, one located three 

 feet vertically above the other. The spaces between 

 these lines will, of course, vary greatly in width 

 according to the steepness of the slope. Where the 

 hills are steep, the terrace lines will run close together, 

 and where the slope is gentle, they Avill be much 

 farther apart. With a large two-horse turning plow 

 a double-back furrow is now thrown against each 

 line of stakes, throwing up as high a ridge as possible. 

 This is intended to act as a dam to hold back all the 

 water that falls on the terrace above and make it 

 sink into the ground, instead of running rapidly 

 down over the surface. This not only prevents 

 washing, but tends to accumulate a store of moisture 

 in the soil for the use of the crops. The land be- 

 tween the terrace lines is now plowed with a reversa- 

 ble hillside plow, so that all the furrows are turned 

 downhill. The first row is now laid out along the 

 terrace line and the others are located parallel with 

 it, filling in the broader parts of the terraces with 

 short rows on the upper side. The success of the 

 system will depend on the skill with which the con- 

 tour lines were laid out in the first place and the 

 promptness with which any breaks in the terraces are 

 repaired after unusually heavy rains. If the lines 

 are not properly run, water will be sure to accumulate 

 and break over at the lowest places. Badly laid out 

 terraces do more harm than good. The continued 



