The German cognate is 'Pflug', the Dutch 'ploeg' and the Swedish 'plog'. The modern word comes from the Old Norse plógr, and is therefore Germanic, but it appears relatively late (it is not attested in Gothic), and is thought to be a loan from one of the north Italic languages. Old English sulh (modern dialectal sullow), Old High German medela, geiza, huohilī(n), Old Norse arðr ( Swedish årder), and Gothic hōha, all presumably referring to the ard (scratch plough). In older English, as in other Germanic languages, the plough was traditionally known by other names, e.g.

3.12 Riding and multiple-furrow ploughs.

Used instead is shallower ploughing or other less-invasive conservation tillage. Use of the traditional plough has decreased in some areas threatened by soil damage and erosion. These in turn were superseded by internal-combustion-powered tractors in the early 20th century.

With the industrial revolution came the possibility of steam engines to pull ploughs. Later, horses and mules were used in many areas. Ploughs were initially powered by humans, but the use of farm animals was considerably more efficient. Ploughing and cultivating soil evens the content of the upper 12 to 25 centimetres (5 to 10 in) layer of soil, where most plant-feeder roots grow. In modern use, a ploughed field is normally left to dry and then harrowed before planting. Trenches cut by the plough are called furrows. The prime purpose of ploughing is to turn over the uppermost soil, bringing fresh nutrients to the surface while burying weeds and crop remains to decay. Celtic peoples first came to use wheeled ploughs in the Roman era. The earliest ploughs had no wheels such a plough was known to the Romans as an aratrum. It has been fundamental to farming for most of history. A plough may have a wooden, iron or steel frame, with a blade attached to cut and loosen the soil.

Ploughs were traditionally drawn by oxen and horses, but in modern farms are drawn by tractors. Traditional ploughing: a farmer works the land with horses and ploughĪ plough or plow ( US both / p l aʊ/) is a farm tool for loosening or turning the soil before sowing seed or planting.

Idle farming empire crops