"A plough. Among the Greek and Romans the three most essential parts of the plough were-the plough tail, the share-beam, that is, the piece of wood to which the share is fixed, and the pole. In the time and country of Virgil it was the custom to force a tree into the crooked form of the buris, or plough-tail. The upper end of the buris being held by the ploughman, the lower part, below its junction with the pole, was used to hold the dentale or share-beam, which was either sheathed with metal, or driven bare into the ground, according to circumstances. The term vomer was sometimes applied to the end of the dentale. The image distinctly shows the pole (1), the coulter (2), the dentale (3), the buris (4), and the handle (5)." — Smith, 1873

Aratrum

"A plough. Among the Greek and Romans the three most essential parts of the plough were-the plough tail,…

"A plough. Among the Greek and Romans the three most essential parts of the plough were-the plough tail, the share-beam, that is, the piece of wood to which the share is fixed, and the pole. In the time and country of Virgil it was the custom to force a tree into the crooked form of the buris, or plough-tail. The upper end of the buris being held by the ploughman, the lower part, below its junction with the pole, was used to hold the dentale or share-beam, which was either sheathed with metal, or driven bare into the ground, according to circumstances. The term vomer was sometimes applied to the end of the dentale. The image distinctly shows the buris (1), the temo (2), the dentale (3), the culter (4), the vomer (5), and the aures (6)." — Smith, 1873

Aratrum

"A plough. Among the Greek and Romans the three most essential parts of the plough were-the plough tail,…

The part of the frame of a plow to which the draught is applied.

Plow Beam

The part of the frame of a plow to which the draught is applied.

"Forler's Anchor, Engine, and Plough at work." — Chambers, 1881

Fowler's Inventions

"Forler's Anchor, Engine, and Plough at work." — Chambers, 1881

"A framework of iron, balanced upon two large wheels. To each side of this framework there are attached four plough-bodies and coulters, so that four furrows are cut at one 'bout,' and the headland on which the anchor is stationed being reached, the end of the beam that was out of the ground is depressed, and the four plough-bodies that were out of the ground, and which point in the opposite direction, are inserted in the soil, and turn up the furrows on the way back to the engine." — Chambers, 1881

Fowler's Plough

"A framework of iron, balanced upon two large wheels. To each side of this framework there are attached…

"Fowlers Steam-Plough as at work." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Fowler's Steam-Plough

"Fowlers Steam-Plough as at work." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

"Irrigating young orchard with furrows. a, sluice; b, head ditch; c, furrow." -Department of Agriculture

Irrigating with Furrows

"Irrigating young orchard with furrows. a, sluice; b, head ditch; c, furrow." -Department of Agriculture

A cultivator that pulverizes or smooths the soil

Agricultural Harrow

A cultivator that pulverizes or smooths the soil

In agriculture, a set of harrows is an implement for cultivating the surface of the soil. In this way it is distinct in its effect from the plough, which is used for deeper cultivation. Harrowing is often carried out on fields to follow the rough finish left by ploughing operations. The purpose of this harrowing is generally to break up clods and lumps of soil and to provide a finer finish, and a good soil structure that is suitable for seeding and planting operations. Coarser harrowing is used to remove weeds and to cover seeds after sowing.

Ground Attachment Harrow

In agriculture, a set of harrows is an implement for cultivating the surface of the soil. In this way…

"The plough is composed of two strong iron frames balanced upon four wheels, and crossing each other at their inner ends, thereby decreasing the length of the plough, and, as a matter of course, the breadth of the headland. The rames are raised and lowered in such a manner that the set of ploughs out of work is independent of, and has no tendency to weigh or raise out of the ground." — Chambers, 1881

Howard's Plough

"The plough is composed of two strong iron frames balanced upon four wheels, and crossing each other…

A team of two oxen pull a plough across a field. Trees and a fence frame the field.

Oxen Team Plowing

A team of two oxen pull a plough across a field. Trees and a fence frame the field.

A wooden plough of early days.

Plough

A wooden plough of early days.

"The Romans, an essentially practical nation, largely improved on the plough, adding to it the coulter and mould-board, and occasionally attaching wheels to the beam to prevent the share from going too deep into the earth." — Chambers, 1881

Plough

"The Romans, an essentially practical nation, largely improved on the plough, adding to it the coulter…

A plough used for cultivating the soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting.

A Roman Plough

A plough used for cultivating the soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting.

This design features an adjustable plough allowing for the wing to pivot.

Landscaping Plough

This design features an adjustable plough allowing for the wing to pivot.

Land before and after ploughing.

Ploughing

Land before and after ploughing.

A tool used in farming for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting.

Plow

A tool used in farming for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting.

A tool used in farming for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting.

Plow

A tool used in farming for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting.

A farm implement consisting of a heavy blade at the end of a beam, usually hitched to a draft team or motor vehicle and used for breaking up soil and cutting furrows in preparation for sowing.

Agricultural Plow

A farm implement consisting of a heavy blade at the end of a beam, usually hitched to a draft team or…

A small plow usually attached to an animal.

American Plow

A small plow usually attached to an animal.

The plow is a tool used in farming for initial cultivation of soil in reparation for sowing seed or planting. It has been a basic instrument for most of recorded history, and represents one of the major advances in agriculture.

Cultivation Plow

The plow is a tool used in farming for initial cultivation of soil in reparation for sowing seed or…

Two or more plows attached to a stock or frame. Generally having wheels as a sulky plow has, with adjustable devices for regularting the depth of furrows.

Gang Plow

Two or more plows attached to a stock or frame. Generally having wheels as a sulky plow has, with adjustable…

A farm tool having one or more heavy blades to break the soil and cut a furrow prior to sowing

Motile Plow

A farm tool having one or more heavy blades to break the soil and cut a furrow prior to sowing

A farm implement consisting of a heavy blade at the end of a beam, usually hitched to a draft team or motor vehicle and used for breaking up soil and cutting furrows in preparation for sowing.

Tool Plow

A farm implement consisting of a heavy blade at the end of a beam, usually hitched to a draft team or…

This plow is an agricultural tool which is used in farming for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting.

Plowing Attachment

This plow is an agricultural tool which is used in farming for initial cultivation of soil in preparation…

A scene from the Middle Ages, in which two people are plowing their land. One drives the oxen with a whip, while the other guides the plow. The original image is from a 14th century manuscript.

Plowing in the Middle Ages

A scene from the Middle Ages, in which two people are plowing their land. One drives the oxen with a…

Illustration of a Roman farmer driving his plow, called an <i>aratrum</i>. The man wears a typical brimmed hat and a tunic with no toga or outer gown. He is driving two oxen that are pulling the plow.

A Roman Farmer with a Plow

Illustration of a Roman farmer driving his plow, called an aratrum. The man wears a typical brimmed…