PLOW BOTTOMS 1 1 5 



When one considers that the pulverization of the soil 

 is vitally necessary in by far the greatest number of 

 cases he will pay less attention to the draft of the bottom 

 and more to its adaptability. Sufficient power should be 

 used to do the work well. 



An experiment was made with the bottoms shown in 

 illustrations F, G, K and M to determine just what effect 

 different shaped mouldboards have upon the soil. This 

 experiment was made in a field of clay soil thoroughly 

 saturated with water. It was necessary to perform such 

 an experiment with a soil that would hold together 

 sufficiently to make observations. Wet clay is the best 

 kind of soil for this purpose. 



These four types of plow bottoms are for use, as the 

 descriptions read, in widely varying soils. The illus- 

 trations of the work done by these bottoms in the soils 

 for which they are adapted, when compared with these 

 illustrations, must forcibly call attention to the impor- 

 tance of selecting a plow bottom adapted to the soil. 

 These experiments were conducted in the morning of the 

 same day in order that the moisture content should be as 

 nearly uniform as possible. 



These illustrations also show the relative work done by 

 the share, mouldboard and landside in such a way as to 

 call attention to the difficulty encountered in trying to 

 establish a fixed center of draft that will serve as a guide 

 for all shaped plow bottoms and soils. 



While this question would be more properly discussed 

 in the chapters on plow hitches, these illustrations are so 

 pertinent that the reader's indulgence for this deviation 

 from good sequence is asked. 



