An
example was the Krause one-way, a disc plow which cut the soil, stalks and weeds
loose and tossed the lot to one side a few inches, severing roots and preventing
regrowth. It cleaned the ground almost miraculously, but it had to be adjusted
properly, especially if the soil was dry and hard.
My father, J.T. Trew,
was one of the few who understood the workings of the plow, having learned his
expertise from years of experience. If the plow was set properly, it would do
a better job, pull more easily and stay in its proper space while conserving fuel.
After the Dust Bowl ended, with normal annual rainfall resuming, it was
a common practice to plow the wheat stubble immediately after harvest. A month
or so later, depending on rainfall, the stubble was again plowed to mulch it into
the soil. When
fall came, the land was again plowed to kill the weeds and volunteer wheat and
to plant the next year's crop. To plow efficiently each time, the implement had
to be adjusted properly. This is where my father excelled.
First, to set
the one-way required the proper tools, namely a 1-inch, 11/8 inch, 11/4 inch wrench,
which was usually larger sizes than most farmers owned. Since we ran six one-ways
at a time, Dad always kept these tools close at hand in his pickup.
The
first plowing of wheat stubble was tough, requiring the plows to be narrowed down
to lessen the pull. The second plowing was easier, allowing the plow to be set
wider to plow a wider swath. The third plowing was even easier, often allowing
two one-ways to be pulled together by one tractor by means of a steel cable device.
As each plowing
time arrived, various neighbors called or stopped by to ask if Dad could set their
plows. He always obliged, even though he was busy with his own farming. The
years passed, farming methods and equipment changed and the one-way plow was abandoned.
You can still see these "antiques" pulled up into fence rows occasionally. Thousands
were sold as junk iron or donated to the war efforts.
But, as I recall, at one time in Panhandle
history, almost every farmer owned a one-way plow. I spent an eternity, (or so
it seemed) dragging one or more Krause one-way plows round and round a field.
It was monotonous and boring, but it sure did a good job of plowing.
©
Delbert Trew
"It's All Trew"
January 5, 2010 Column
E-mail: trewblue@centramedia.net. |
