TIMES AND WAYS OF PLOWING 143 



on worn-out lands (on lands, that is, where the surface has 

 been worn out), and it is always advisable for root 

 crops. On the other hand, some small grains, like oats, 

 thrive well on shallow plowing because their roots feed 

 near the surface. In a rotation of corn or potatoes, 

 small grain, and clover, it is often well to plow deep 

 for the corn crop, and then plow shallow the next year 

 for the oats. 



b. Time. Clay soils should not be plowed when wet, 

 because they are likely to "puddle." This compacts 



FURROWS PROPERLY TURNED. 



them, and makes it hard for air and roots to get into the 

 soil, fall plowing is best in regions of scant rainfall and 

 clay soils, because more of the winter moisture can then 

 sink into the ground, instead of running off. On hill- 

 sides, where the winter rains are apt to wash the lands, 

 spring plowing is to be preferred. 



c. The furrow. There are two objections to turning 

 the furrow slice of sod completely over, so as to make it lie 

 flat in the bottom of the furrow. First, the capillary con- 

 nections between the sod and subsoil will be broken more 



