142 



TILTH AND TILLAGE 



without breaking it very much, and in a way which facilitates 

 the decomposition of the sod. 



Ordinary sod is turned best with a sod plow, or one having a 

 moldboard adapted for either sod or stubble (Figs. 72 and 78). 

 The moldboards of such plows are somewhat longer, and turn the 



Fia. 75. Wrong way of plowing sod. (Humid farming.) 



furrow slice more slowly than those of the stubble plows. Sod 

 turned properly is much more easily made into a good seed bed 

 than when poorly or improperly plowed (Figs. 75, 76 and 77). A 

 stubble plow, under average conditions, cannot turn sod the way 

 it should be turned (Figs. 78 and 79. Compare with Fig. 77). 



FIG. 76. Right way of plowing sod. (Humid farming.) 



When Disk Plows Are Used. Some soils, because of their con- 

 dition or peculiar characteristics, can be plowed successfully only 

 with a disk plow; these are dry and hard, sticky, waxy or gumbo 

 soils, and other soils in which a moldboard plow will not scour l 

 (Fig. 80). The disk plow may be used on stubble land when the 

 depth of plowing is five or more inches. It is not recommended for 



1 Moldboards, disks, cultivator shovels, drill shoes and hoes should always 

 be kept clean and free from rust when not in use. Most farmers use axle 

 grease to keep them from rusting. Frequently plows refuse to scour simply 

 because their moldboards were allowed to rust. 



