TILLAGE 675 



is desired. Some of the wheel hoes used in orchard 

 tillage belong to this type. The single and double shovel 

 plows are earlier types of the same implement. 



The small shovel cultivators have very generally sup- 

 planted the large shovel type in most cultural work. 

 The decrease in size of shovels is made up by the great 

 increase in number. Ordinarily they operate to shallow 

 depths, but very thoroughly and uniformly. They are 

 now much preferred in all intertillage work for eradication 

 of small weeds and the formation of a loose surface mulch. 



The duck-foot cultivator or sweep as it is called in 

 the southern states, where it is extensively used in the 

 cultivation of cotton is a broad blade that operates 

 in a nearly horizontal position an inch or two beneath the 

 surface. The surface layer of soil is severed and raised 

 slightly from the under soil, and is somewhat crumbled 

 in the operation. This tool is very efficient in establishing 

 and maintaining a mulch and in destroying weeds. It 

 covers every part of the soil. The implement is increasing 

 in popularity in the northern and eastern states. It is 

 not adapted for use in very stony or hard soil. 



Another classification, which has less relation to utility 

 than to the convenience and comfort of the operation, 

 is based on the presence or the absence of wheels. There 

 is a strong movement toward the use of wheel cultivators 

 carrying a seat for the operator. These have a wider 

 range of operation as to depth and facility of movement 

 than have the cultivators without wheels. 



Still further, there is the distinction of shovels from 

 disks. Disks are used on the larger cultivators but seldom 

 on the small ones. 



Cultivators may be constructed to till one or more rows 

 at a time. 



