Translations:Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Outdoor Industries/Agriculture/52/en

9. Know the purpose of the following:
a. Plowing
b. Disking
c. Cultivating
d. Irrigation
e. Harvesting

a. Plowing

The primary purpose of plowing is to turn over the upper layer of the soil, bringing fresh nutrients to the surface, while burying weeds and the remains of previous crops, allowing them to break down. It also aerates the soil, and allows it to hold moisture better. In modern use, a plowed field is typically left to dry out, and is then harrowed before planting.

b. Disking

Disking is often carried out on fields to follow the rough finish left by plowing operations. The purpose of this is generally to break up clods and lumps of soil and to provide a finer finish, a good tilth or soil structure that is suitable for seeding and planting operations.