TILLAGE 



341 



wheat region of the northwest the powerful tractor, with its six to 

 ten plows and accompanying disks and harrows, may be seen pre- 

 paring the soil for the crop. These improvements have materially 

 reduced the cost of raising a bushel of wheat. In the southern part 

 of the United States many one-horse plows are used. Plowing, 

 when well done, accomplishes more of the objects desired in tillage 

 than any other operation. The plowing done by the crude imple- 

 ments of primitive peoples falls far short of good results. It enables 

 them, however, to put their soil in somewhat better condition, and 

 without doubt they grow larger crops than without even this simple 

 operation. 



Fio. Ifil. Tin 



(1 represents Rood work. 



Good plowing saves labor in Hie preparation of a seed bed. It 

 gives all plants of the crop an equal chance and all a much greater 

 advantage than on poor plowing. For good plowing the following 

 things are essential : 



1. The entire furrow-slice should be cut loose from the soil 

 beneath and all turned. In other words, u cutting and covering" 

 is not good plowing. 



^. The plowing should be done to a certain depth to produce 

 pulverization. In most cases the soil is n<>t pulveri/ed to any extent 

 when the furrow-slice is only three or four inches thick. For best 

 pulverization plowing should lie done live to seven indies deep. 



