RECLAIMING FLOOD LAND

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17946, 25 November 1932, Page 8

RECLAIMING FLOOD LAND

WORLD’S LARGEST PLOUGH q

It was generally acknowledged that the world’s largest plough was in use in the fertile valley of the Nile, Egypt--This implement was capable of turning in some. 22in. of ground, but it has now been outclassed by a double-bladed, tractor drawn plough that turns a furrow 3ft. deep and equally as wide. Paul Plaven, a Californian landowner. is responsible for the design and building of this mammoth plough, and lie is using it to reclaim land that has lain dormant since 1916, when the Santa Ana River overran its banks and deposited a 6in. layer of sand over a large section of the valley in which hm& beans and beets formerly flourished. Interesting details of this plough are supplied by the Atlantic Union • Uil Company. It appears that Plaven built the implement in bis own blacksmith shop, two months were spent m workin o- out details involved in casting and finishing the blades and building rigging sturdy enough to withstand the strain to winch the implement would be subjected. Requiring three caterpillar tractors, which develop a total output of 180 horse-power, • the plough can be made to turn in keveral acres per day.