156 DRY LAND FARMING 



The sixty-penny spike tooth wooden harrow has a 

 frame made of 2 by 4 inch scantling and the frame is of 

 some light wood, as pine. The teeth are the sixty-penny 

 spikes driven through the scantlings in openings pre- 

 pared by brace and bit, to the desired distance. This 

 harrow is of home construction and may be of any width 

 desired. It is intended for use on very soft, fine surfaces 

 where the steel harrow would sink too deeply in the soil. 

 (See p. 168.) 



While the objects sought from the use of the har- 

 row are various, the following are prominent among 

 these: (1) The pulverization of the soil so that germi- 

 nating plants will be furnished with conditions that favor 

 rapid growth. (2) To cover the seed that may have been 

 broadcasted, as when sown by hand. (3) To destroy 

 weeds in the early stages of their growth. When firmly 

 rooted they cannot be dislodged by the harrow. (4) To 

 aid in conserving soil moisture. In dry areas no imple- 

 ment will equal the harrow in efficiency for such a use. 



The steel harrow is used: (1) To pulverize the seed 

 bed on land that has been plowed. It is greatly impor- 

 tant that this shall be done as soon as possible after the 

 land has been plowed or disced, to prevent the escape 

 of moisture, and also after rain, should the same be prac- 

 ticable. (2) On summer-fallow land to firm and main- 

 tain a dust mulch throughout the season, and especially 

 after any considerable rain, and to destroy weeds as 

 they begin to grow. The dust mulch is to hinder as 

 far as may be the escape of moisture. (3) To cover the 

 seeds of grain that may have been broadcasted, as when 

 hand sown, and to furnish additional covering for drill- 

 sown grain on land not in good condition of preparation. 

 (4) On several cultivated crops, especially corn and po- 

 tatoes, before they appear above ground, and subse- 

 quent to their appearance until they are several inches 

 high. The number of these harrowings is dependent on 



