Practical: ploughing and loosening soil before sowing
Ploughing is turning the soil over, breaking clods, burying fertiliser, destroying weeds and partly levelling the land. It is done only with ploughs. Ploughs are of two kinds: general for land under permanent crops, and special for new land, orchards and vineyards. On the school plot land is dug by hand. Procedure: with a pitchfork put humus into a basket or bucket, carry it to the plot, make small heaps and spread evenly; set a pointed spade at about 60° to the ground and the metal part must go fully in; lift the cut layer slightly and turn it so that fertiliser and plant remains fall underneath; do not cut a very thick layer; take out weeds, especially roots of perennial weeds, and collect them aside. The book says to burn them, but a fire may be made only under adult supervision in an allowed place; children do not light fires. Work is done with gloves, pressing the spade alternately with the right and left foot, resting after 5 minutes; wear closed shoes to protect the feet.
Digging: in pairs, wearing gloves and closed shoes, dig a 1 × 2 m plot marked by the teacher and check that remains fell under the turned layer. Rest every 5 minutes. The work is supervised by the teacher, and pairs keep at least 2 m apart.