LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE 



297 



age yields from fall and from spring plowing at each 

 station for corn, spring wheat, oats, barley, milo and 

 kafir have shown but small differences. As the land re- 

 quires plowing for all annual crops except in those cases 

 above noted, and as plowing is an expensive operation, it 

 is a question of great economic importance as to how and 



Fig. 98. Harvesting Winter Wheat with a Header in Kansas. 



when this plowing should be done. Much has been writ- 

 ten upon this subject and many theories have been de- 

 veloped and advocated, but the investigations conducted 

 in the Great Plains by the Office of Dry Land Agricul- 

 ture seem to show conclusively that no set rule can safely 

 be followed. The 'best practice seems to be to do a good 

 clean-cut workmanlike job of plowing to a depth of from 

 4 to 8 inches when the soil is in proper condition and the 

 work can be done to the best advantage, taking into con- 

 sideration the most economical distribution of labor 

 throughout the year. (Bui. 268 p. 23). 



245. The Purpose of Plowing. It is mistaking or fail- 



