The use of the disk harrow on stubble land early in the 

 spring before spring plowing starts, we also find very advanta- 

 geous for much the same reasons as the fall disking. In 

 addition, however, it aids greatly in foul land in germinating all 

 the weed seed on the surface of the ground which later will 

 be turned under with the spring plowing. 



Again, on the land which for several years has been deeply 

 plowed and which has been plowed in the spring of the last 

 season, we find that by using a disk harrow thoroughly and 

 setting it deep, we can prepare a good seed bed for fall seeding 

 and use fall sown wheat, oats, barley, and our great hay crop, 

 vetch and oats, or vetch and rye. Where the disk harrow is 

 used to prepare ground for fall seeding, it should always be 

 land that has been deeply plowed in the spring of the same 

 year. 



We also find that the disk harrow is of great use in prepar- 

 ing a deep mulch on bare, fallowed land which is set either to 

 orchard or any other crop. The disking prepares a deep mulch 

 for the retention of moisture and also is very effective in 

 getting rid of persistent weeds. 



A lesser use of the disk harrow is in the disking of the 

 alfalfa fields early in the spring. Setting the disk straight and 

 weighting the machine and running it crosswise cuts up the 

 surface of the alfalfa field and, when followed by a spring 

 tooth or common drag harrow, effectively prepares the loosened 

 surface and mulch and does away with grass and other sod- 

 forming weeds that injure the alfalfa, and, in fact, greatly 

 benefits it by splitting the crowns and thickening the stand. 

 The loosened surface we find especially effective in promoting an 

 expansion of the root crowns, as well as in furnishing a mulch 

 which aids in conserving moisture and increasing beneficial 

 activities. 



Another use of the disk harrow which we find of especial 

 value in Oregon, is in connection with the plowing under of 

 cover crops as green manures a very common practice not 

 only in orchard lands but in other kinds of farming as well. 



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