T 



CHAPTER V 



THE PROBLEM OF TILLAGE 



1ILLAGE is the most important 

 operation in dry-farming, and 

 upon it will mainly depend the success or 

 failure of the crop. The modern plow is 

 the product of many centuries of slow 

 improvement, and during this time it has 

 evolved from a crooked stick to an imple- 

 ment of marvellous efficiency. One of 

 the main objects of plowing is to leave 

 the soil in such a condition that but little 

 subsequent tillage will be needed to fit 

 the land for the crop. A good plow 

 should turn over the furrow slice in a 

 loose and crumbling condition and at the 

 same moment bury the weeds, stubble 

 and trash. In this way the labor of har- 

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