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Show "BREAKING." In "breaking," the usual depth of the furrow is three inches, and the usual width sixteen inches. We should certainly prefer to plow a three inch furrow and "backset" in the fall or after the furrow turned in "breaking" has become measurably disintergrated, which often occurs before fall. "Breaking," "backsetting" and "cross-plowing" constitute the general routine of preparation of prairie sod for a seed bed, and in any section it is always well to follow the plan already practiced there until experience has demonstrated or strongly suggested a different one; for it may be taken as a rule that the methods adopted by shrewd, practical men in farming in any section are the methods best adopted to that section under existing conditions. Anyhow, it is not wise for a new-comer to depart from them without a valid reason, and after a trial, on a small scale, of any plan he may think a better one. "Do as your neighbors do" is a safe rule for all newcomers in every part of the country, until they have had experience there. Then, with a full knowledge of the conditions of their new location, the remembrance of different methods followed elsewhere may suggest valuable improvements; but a great many of the avoidable mishaps that befall new settlers in various parts of the country are due to the contempt often felt for the methods already in vogue there, and the consequent substitution of other methods, which, however excellent elsewhere under different conditions, are not suitable in the new situation.-Rural New Yorker. |