LESSON VIII 

 THE PLOW AND PLOWING 



Plows were probably the earliest farm implements 

 used by civilized man. These plows were made out 

 of crooked limbs of trees. At first they were drawn 

 or pushed through the soil by men. Afterward they 

 were drawn by oxen or horses. Now plows are made 

 of steel and are drawn by horses, or mules, or steam 

 engines, or gasoline tractors. 



Plowing. -- The mark made by the plow, as it is 

 pulled along through the soil, is called a furrow, and the 

 part cut loose by the plow and turned over, is the furrow 

 slice. When sod land is plowed, the furrow slice is 

 turned upside down, covering the vegetable matter 

 as deeply as the ground is plowed. Good plowing 

 twists and breaks and crushes the soil, leaving it rough 

 and open to the air, so other tools, which are used 

 afterwards to smooth and fine the surface, can do the 

 best work. Plowing, then, kills the plants which may 

 be growing on the soil, buries the vegetation, and mixes 

 it with the soil, breaks and pulverizes the soil particles, 

 loosens the soil and lets the air and sunshine and water 

 get into it and act upon it. Plowing helps to dry out 

 wet soil and aids the movement of water in the soil. 



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