OCR Text |
Show i P Z- Terraced Farm Land Has Its Advantages Terraced gardens aud fields are the rule in places where the topography of the land would otherwise be a bar to agriculture. Soil erosion, which annually an-nually results in enormous losses to farmers, is most effectively prevented or controlled by this method. There are two distinct types of terraces. For use on moderate .slopes the "ridge" terrace is best adapted, while for steep slopes the "bench" terrace gives the best results. The ridge terraces are subdivided into the "narrow-base" and the "broad-bnse" "broad-bnse" types. The broad-base terrace .an lie cultivated and can be readily tilled with modern farm machinery. The narrow-base ridge terrace does not possess either of these advantages .mil under ordinary circumstances is ess desirable than the broad-base :ype. The broad-base and level ridge rerraee more nearly meets the requirements require-ments of an ideal terrace than any ntlier kind. Its distinct advantage over :he terrace with a fall is that none of .he fertile parts of the soil are washed :'roni the field. The broad-base grade :errace, generally known as the Man-ium Man-ium terrace, possesses all the advan-:(i'-'cs of the other with the exception )f the one just noted. Terraced farm lands are common in foreign countries. For instance, though Rotenfels, Germany, is hemmed in by steep mountains the enterprising natives na-tives have terraced the slopes in or-ler or-ler to grow grapes. Our own Hawaii n:is some ingenious examples of ter--acing. |