366 



SOIL PHYSICS AND MANAGEMENT 



(b) The Level Bench (Fig. 178) is employed on steeper slopes. 

 These may be developed from the guide-row or laid out on contours 

 by using a reversible plow. By plowing down hill a level bench is 

 developed in a few ye#rs. When the desired form of the terrace 

 has been produced it is well to throw the soil up the slope as often as 

 down in order to avoid exposing too much unproductive subsoil at 

 the upper side of the terrace. Each bench must be cultivated as a 

 separate unit, and driving over the bank or outer edge must be 

 avoided lest depressions be made which result in gullies. The 

 growth of weeds on the edge of the bench should be prevented and 



Fia. 178. Level-bench terrace. (Bui. 236, North Carolina Station.) (F. R. Baker.) 



a good grass covering encouraged to prevent erosion. Crops may be 

 grown in straight TOWS or on contours following the terrace lines. 

 Most farmers object to the short rows, which are necessary if the 

 rows are to be kept straight, because of the loss of time and the 

 tramping out of part of the crop in turning during cultivation. 

 Undoubtedly the best way to prevent erosion while farming these 

 lands is to plant and cultivate across the slope or parallel to the 

 terrace. The uncultivated bank growing weeds or grass is a serious 

 objection to this form, as it is a breeding place for injurious insects 

 and a home for moles, mice and other animals. Very often tl o 

 water from the slope above finds its way into one of their burrows 

 and a considerable gully forms in a short time. A terraced park 

 is shown in figure-179. 



(c) The Mangum Terrace (Fig. 180) is a very desirable form, 

 because it eliminates the uncultivated spaces of the level bench. It 



