25 
MICHIGrAN SOD AND SUBSOIL PLOW. 
Plate XVI. 
§ 143. Of this there are two sizes. It consists of a well-formed plow with a smaller plow 
attached to the same beam and in range with the main plow—the object being to cut and turn 
the furrow in two separate slices; the smaller one being adjustable to any depth from one to 
four inches, and cuts the sod and turns it into the bottom of the last furrow without break¬ 
ing it, the main plow following close in its wake, raises the subsoil, and by its peculiar 
wedgelike form and convex curves, breaks and pulverizes the earth and lays it high upon 
and over the unbroken sod which lies at the bottom. For plowing sod land, or plowing un¬ 
der green crops for enriching the land, and planting and sowing for a crop, this is probably 
one of the best systems of plowing ever adopted, and which is becoming very popular, and 
the plo tvs are meeting a very ready sale. 
$ 144. The main plow without the small one attached, is one of the best stubble or old 
'’and plows in use. The additional power required to cut and turn the double furrow of even 
depth with this double plow or with a single sod plow, is nominal, and by some it is 
claimed to be done with less force, as two thin slices are more easily turned than if in one 
compact mass. The additional cost for the double plow is four to five dollars over a single 
plow for the same size furrow. 
LOCK COULTEB PLOW. 
Plate XVI. 
§ 145. This is the third in the plate, and has the dial gauge clevis attached. These are 
designed for heavy work among roots and underground obstructions, and are furnished with 
a strong steel-laid coulter, which is made fast to the beam and also into the front part of the 
share of the plow. They have also, when ordered, strong shares with steel wings, which 
are intended to cut off tap roots, while the coulter cuts its way among the horizontal roots 
of trees and shrubbery, making clean and comparatively easy work for the team. 
§ 146. For reclaiming bog meadows this is the best plow in use. It is furnished with an 
additional cutter with a convex cutting edge, and set on the beam forward of the coulter, its 
point inclining backward; also with a broad cast-steel wing to the share. It cuts to any 
required depth and turns over the slice unbroken, the dial gauge clevis allowing the team to 
walk on the unplowed land. 
SIDE HILL OR SWIVEL PLOW 
Plate XVI. 
§ 147. This is one of the most ingenious and popular inventions of the past fifty years, 
and is the fourth plow in the plate. It was the invention of Mr. John Rich, of Troy, New 
York, who still survives, and although upwards of eighty years of age, is still working away 
at his old occupation, plow making. This is the only successful principle for a swivel or side 
hill plow in use, and is made and copied everywhere, and with as great a variety of forms 
as other plows. There are five sizes, ranging from a small one-horse to a large road plow, for 
three or four yokes of oxen. The size best calculated for farm use for two horses, is a good 
formed plow for either side hill or level land, and very extensively used for plowing level 
fields and avoiding making the dead furrows and ridges, and for turning the furrow from 
fences, &c., &c., which cannot be done with the common plow. 
$ 148. In changing the mould-board from side to side, little or no effort is required, as the 
plowman simply unhooks the iron hasp, which reaches from the wood standard to a hole in 
the upper edge of the rear end of the mould-board, and by turning the handles over towards 
the mould-board, it causes the latter to fall flat on its face, and the motion of the team in 
coming round, will bring it up again upon the other side of the standard, when the plow¬ 
man has simply to put the same hasp into a hole for the purpose, in the other edge of the 
mould-board, which is now uppermost. Each edge and wing of the point act as cutter and 
wing alternately, precisely the same as with any other plow. For working roads and excava¬ 
tions, the swivel plow is almost universally used where its advantages are known. This 
plow should generally have a gauge wheel under the beam, as it is a great help in working 
and governing it upon side hills, &c., &c. 
COMMON STUBBLE BLOW. 
Plate XVII. 
§ 149. This is the third plow in the plate, and is commonly used for farm work. There 
are five sizes, each of two or three series of patterns, to suit various sections and soils, rang¬ 
ing from the small one-horse plow, thirty-five pounds weight, to those for large and deep 
furrows, of twelve by twenty inches, and weighing two hundred pounds each. 
