THE CULTURE OF FARM CROPS. 



CHAPTER XLII. 



IMPLEMENTS OF TILLAGE. 



No man can work without tools; and to do the best work, 

 the best implements are required. In a work of this chai- 

 acter, upon "The Culture of Farm Crops," some reference 

 to the best implements for preparing the land, and for se- 

 curing by their right use, all the benefits which accrue from 

 the operations of the natural laws which have been ex- 

 plained in previous chapters, should not be missed. 



Plowing is the first work in the culture of crops; for the 

 land must thus be prepared for the seed. After plowing, 

 follows harrowing; an equally important work; and in some 

 respects of greater significance in regard to the culture of 

 the soil. With these two implements, every kind of soil 

 that is dry enough for tillage may be thoroughly well fitted 

 for the seed and for the growth of crops. 



A plow is constructed upon certain scientific principles, 

 and much study has been given by the best mechanics and 

 inventors to the perfection of these implements. Its purpose 

 is to cut a slice of the soil, raise it, and turn it over; either 

 partly so as to stand on edge in a sloping direction; or com- 

 pletely so that the earth is reversed in position. The for- 

 mer method is that mostly used in ordinary farm work, and 

 for all the purposes of preparing land for seed is quite suffi- 

 cient, and we think preferable to the other in every respect. 

 To effect this purpose the plow is provided with a pointed 

 and edged share to cut the slice of earth; and with a curved 

 mold-board to lift and turn it. The share is thus necessar- 

 ily made in the form of a wedge, and the mold-board in the 

 form of a section of a cylinder, or of a cone. As the share 

 cuts the furrow slice loose from the solid ground, it lifts it 

 so that it passes on to the mold-board, which further 

 lifts it, and at the same time by means of the curved surface, 

 turns it over and deposits it on its edge; pressing it close 

 and compactly against the previously turned soil. 



