METHODS OF PLOWING 123 



to answer this question definitely and conclusively 

 for all farmers as it is to prescribe that corn should 

 be planted the first week in June everywhere. The 

 best depth for plowing depends upon conditions; 

 these each farmer must study for himself. No 

 general statement can be made ; "plow deep" is 

 sound advice in many cases, and very bad advice 

 in others. 



The depth to plow should be governed mainly 

 by the nature of the soil. As a general rule, the 

 heavier the soil the deeper it should be plowed, for 

 heavy soils need the loosening, draining and aerat- 

 ing effect of deep plowing. Such soils are com- 

 monly plowed from seven to ten inches deep. On 

 the contrary, the lighter the soils the more shallow 

 should they be plowed, since deep plowing makes 

 the soil looser, and it is already too loose and 

 leachy. If, however, humus is being plowed under, 

 as manure or a cover crop, the plowing can be 

 deeper. Sandy soils are commonly plowed four 

 or five inches deep. If, however, it is desired to 

 form an artificial hard-pan on such soils they may 

 be plowed deeper. On raw soils it is well to plow 

 about half an inch deeper each year until a depth 

 of nine or ten inches is reached. 



The depth to plow should be influenced by the 

 feeding habit of the crop to be grown. Are its 

 feeding roots mostly in the first foot of soil or in 

 the first five feet ? Plowing for fruit trees and root 

 crops should be deeper, as a rule, than for other 

 farm crops. 



Plow somewhat deeper in midsummer and fall, 

 when the soil is apt to be dry, than in spring when 

 the soil is cold and wet. In the humid sections 

 farm manures or green manures plowed under at 

 that time decay quicker near tne surface than 



