Page:Evolution of American Agriculture (Woodruff).djvu/36

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THE EVOLUTION OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE

have failed to consider the fact that land was cheaper than labor and we only economize in that of which we have a scarcity. It was cheaper to plow a new and fertile field than to manure and intensely cultivate an exhausted one. The fertilizer problem was left to future generations.

Whatever may be said, the colonist met his task squarely and fairly and so well did he seek out the possibilities of the land that only one important crop (sorghum) has been introduced to our agriculture since his day.

DRAY PLOUGH

A plough used in the old days. In summer, when the ground was hard, this contrivance was very difficult to use because the point was constantly flying out of the ground. The plough was set higher or lower by means of wedges.