THE CHOICE OF PLOWS 189 



pigskin. A local farmer with this combination succeeded in 

 plowing while the various factory experts were experimenting 

 in vain. 



In the North Central States, east of the Mississippi River, 

 and in Iowa and Missouri, the ground is fairly level or gently 

 rolling, with good natural drainage. The soils are glacial loams 

 containing sand, gravel, and loose boulders, some alluvial soils; 

 some loess, usually known as clay or silt loam, and some tough 

 sticky "gumbo." The rainfall is moderate, and the heat not 

 excessive, during the plowing season. The fields and farms 

 are of moderate size, and in the older states the fields are apt 

 to be small and irregular.' General farming is tire rulepwrttT 

 from one third to one half of the cultivated area plowed each 

 season. Corn and other intertilled crops require deep plowing 

 i. e. y five to eight inches, and the small grains something 

 less. Following intertilled crops, the small grains, especially 

 oats, are often disked in without plowing. Very little virgin 

 sod remains to be broken, and the tame sod is usually broken 

 by general purpose models. The soils require a moldboard 

 which will take a high land polish, hence the soft-center steel 

 plow is generally used, with the chilled plow next in point of 

 popularity. 



A large number of horses in proportion to laborers is pro- 

 vided, and owing to the fact that horse raising is a prominent 

 industry, the excess of power required at plow time can be 

 provided for on a great many farms. The work horses are of 

 large size, probably averaging 1300 pounds in weight. Labor 

 is scarce and high priced, but as a rule quite efficient in handling 

 teams and large implements. Sulky and gang plows are natur- 

 ally adapted to conditions, and the farmers are in position to 

 purchase the equipment which best serves their purpose. 



Engine gang plows of from four to six bottoms are coming 

 rapidly into favor with the introduction of small tractors of 

 such horsepower, weight, and flexibility as to speed, as adapt 

 them to corn belt conditions. 



