THE DISC PLOUGH.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8729, 1 February 1907, Page 2

THE DISC PLOUGH.

The trial of Messrs luuisomes, Sims, and Jeffries' new disc plough that «r.i made on Messrs Ellis Bros/ property yesterday was, in the opinion of practical farmers, most successful. Without going into descriptive details of the plough itself, it is su'li-jL'ic-)it to say that it is designed more pnrlkuiariy for the purpose of eradicating couch and clearing infested paddocks of ether weeds that render the soil unprofitable. The trial was made in a portion of a paddock that was overgrown with couch. Farmers can imagine what it -would be like when it is known that a former owner of the property years ago w::s so illadvised as to sow couch as a perm -incut pasture. Several attempts have been made to bring the paddock into cultivation, with unsatisfactory' re-uiis. This should satisfy those interested that a fair test has been made, the results of which will be watched with interest. The makers of. the plough do not claim to make an ornamental job by burying the grass and leaving an even surface—rather lite reverse. The discs are set just low enough to go below the matted roots, which are tern up and the sous exposed to the sun aea wind. This will loosen the earth, and a few hot dry ins days will pcrhh much of the grass. The paddock is then cross-ploughed with the same plough, and the effect of these two workings is considered equal in effect to over six strokes of an ordinary disc harrow. The paddock should then be in such a workable condition that a heavy set of harrows will drag the remaining roots to the surface when, if necessary, Ihey ca.i be raked together anc burned. The plough will be working ,again at Killcymoon after a few days, so those who did not have an opportunity of seeing it yesterday may do so then. The area covered is from 2!. to '.> acres per day. The plough is of light draft and is easily managed and of a leliablo English make. If can also be used for fallowing stubble ground, and in the loose soil will do considerably more work than an ordinary double furrow plough and has the advantage of throwing the soil well up to the air and allowing it to sweeten. This is the first trial that has been made with the implement in *liese parts, and we would recommend those interested to take an early opportunity of judging its work for themselves.