What is Plough?
It is a simple-looking instrument that can loosen even the hardened earth. It creates furrows in the land, helps loosen the soil and is a great mechanism to upturn the soil layers.
This simple machine was first drawn by men. Later the efficiency of this implement was increased by placing it on pairs of farm animals. Nowadays the use of mechanised ploughs has become popular.
What are the parts of a plough?
A plough consists of three parts:
(i) Beam
It is a horizontal rod that is usually placed onto the necks of farm animals like oxen.
(ii)Â Ploughshare
 It is made of iron and joined to the wooden part of the plough. It helps to plough the hardened field as it pierces the soil and is dragged. This process helps loosen the soil.
(iii)Â Ploughshaft
 It is a long log of wood which connects the beam to the ploughshare. There is a handle at one end of the shaft. The other end is attached to the beam.
What is Hoe?
Hoe is a much simpler instrument than the plough. It has two parts – a rod made of wood or iron which is attached to a broad and strong, slightly bent plate of iron.
It is an instrument which is mainly used to remove the unwanted weeds that grow alongside the crops. It is also used at times to loosen the soil.
 What is Cultivator?
A cultivator is a modern agricultural implement that is attached to a tractor and used to plough the land and remove weeds.
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It has a beam-like structure with several sharp teeth. These teeth dig into the soil and when dragged forward, they linearly pierce the soil.
What are the advantages of a cultivator?
Since it can be attached to a tractor, it saves labour and time.
Unlike hoes and ploughs that disturb the crops and may damage them by digging deep into the soil, cultivators pierce only the top layer of soil and help in uprooting only the weeds. This keeps the crop safe and untouched.
Summary
| Plough |
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| Hoe |
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| Cultivator |
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