Tilling Clay Soil
Loimaa was settled later than other parts of Southwest Finland. Clearing the heavy clay soil was hard work, and in the Loimijoki River valley, new plowing methods were often adopted earlier than elsewhere. New farmland was often created through slash-and-burn or “kytö” burning. In the 15th century, a heavier plow type was adopted from Sweden. It allowed for deep tilling of the soil, whereas the old-fashioned hook plow merely scratched the surface.
Plows that turned the soil became common in the 17th century. The Loimaa plow was a heavy turning plow pulled by a pair of oxen. It could be driven back and forth along the same furrow and would simultaneously create drainage furrows.
Caption: “Cleaning out a cart ditch, 1929.”
Photo: Loimaa Society Collection.
Donor: Toivo Marjamäki.