CH. v] Importance of Good Ploughing 81 



handicaps the farmer and leaves him with his work 

 sadly behindhand in spring. This handicap will, it is 

 hoped, be removed with the further development of the 

 motor or tractor plough : the farmer will then be able to 

 take full advantage of every favourable interval and 

 have his ploughing carried out in time. 



It is usual in some districts to plough to the same 

 depth every year. This is not desirable as the plough 

 sole tends to compact the subsoil and form a hard layer 

 which roots cannot penetrate. It is advisable one year 

 in four or five to plough to a greater depth so as to get 

 underneath this layer: this deeper ploughing can well be 

 done for roots or potatoes. 



It is impossible to overestimate the importance of good 

 ploughing. Winter sown corn is specially dependant on 

 it. In the old days farmers hked to have an interval be- 

 tween the plougliing and the sowing of winter wheat, or 

 in their own words to sow " on a stale furrow." Modern 

 ploughs do better work, and good results are obtained by 

 sowing straightway after ploughing on a "fresh furrow." 



In some parts of the country, e.g., in parts of Wales, 

 farmers tend to use a quicker method and scarify their 

 land instead of ploughing it. This is not desirable. 

 Scarifying does not clean the land as thoroughly as good 

 ploughing, and it is by no means an efficient substitute^. 



The time at which ploughing is done is a very impor- 

 tant matter. Once the land is ploughed it not only ceases 

 for the time being to carry a crop, but it is more exposed 

 to the washing action of rain, which may mean con- 



^ Some striking American experiments on the effects of good and bad 

 ploughing, deep and shallow ploughing, etc., are recorded in Hosier and 

 Gustafson's book. Soil Physics and Mmiagement, Chap, xxvi, and also in 

 the Kansas Bull. 185. 



R. s. 6 



