The Disk Harrow 



By W. M. JARDINE 



Professor of Agronomy, Kansas State Agricultural College 



According to experiments now under 

 way at the Kansas State Agricultural 

 College and at various sub-stations in 

 different parts of the state, the disk har- 

 row may be profitably employed in the 

 preparation of a seed bed for almost 

 every farm crop grown in the state. 

 While special experiments have not been 

 running sufficiently long to give definite 

 comparative yields, indications are that 

 when the disk harrow is intelligently 

 used, with respect to time, depth and 



thoroughness, yields can be substantially increased, often 

 doubled, as a result. This statement is also borne out by 

 observations made among progressive farmers over the state 

 who are making good use of the disk harrow. Within the last 

 six years, its use among farmers has become almost as uni- 

 versal as that of the plow. 



Kansas farmers are coming to realize that the disk harrow 

 has a broader application than simply as an efficient implement 

 with which to subdue raw soils, firm and pulverize plowed land 

 for seeding, and eradicate weeds under certain conditions. This 

 wider application comes as a result of the gradual development 

 of a more perfect type of harrow and its more intelligent use 

 by the farmer. 



The following are some of the special purposes to which the 

 disk is now devoted in this state: Disking stubble land in July 

 after a crop of wheat, oats or barley has been taken from the 

 field, in preparation for summer or autumn planting of such 

 crops as cowpeas, alfalfa or grasses; disking stubble lands 

 immediately after removing a crop, to facilitate summer or 

 early autumn plowing in preparation for the planting of winter 



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