Ploughed field, patterns, straight furrows, ground, seedbed, Autumn soil, sown, tilled, farming, artistic lines, planting, cultivation, ploughing,


Ploughing has been practiced in the UK for around 6,000 years. The earliest ploughs literally scratched the soil into small ridges. These ploughs were made of wood and quickly wore out. It was not until the iron age that the "plough share" (the wearing part in the soil) had a metal point. In Roman times many different types of plough existed. These were stronger and had iron boards that made it possible to plough deeper and more effectively. By the twelfth and thirteenth centuries the horse replaced the oxen and the daily output of the ploughman doubled. The ground on the left is the stubble (straw) from the previous crop. This is turned over by the plough and weed seeds and debris rot down underground. Ploughs turn over about nine inches of soil and it will depend on the type of soil as to what happens next. If the soil is "light" the farmer may be able to drill directly into it. But if not other cultivations may be required to create a seedbed for the crop.


Size: 5477px × 3651px
Photo credit: © Steve Welsh / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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