same. Of course Viktor would not, so the copper ploughs never went
into production. Because Viktor's research is not publicized in other
countries, the copper ploughs were forgotten about, though the
Schauberger research institute, the PKS, has encouraged the devel-
opment of copper gardening tools that are now being marketed in
many countries (see Resources).Alignment of furrows
In his study of crop yields in Bulgaria, Viktor Schauberger realized
that there were factors other than the use of steel versus wooden
ploughs to explain the differences in productivity between the
north and south. The fields in the north were also harrowed, which
broke the soil into much smaller particles and made it more vulner-
able to drying out in the hot sun to several inches of depth.
In the Turkish south of the country, the farmers could not afford
to harrow, and their ploughing was much more rough and ready.
The furrows they made were irregular and rough, producing large
clods that fell in different directions. The unevenness of the furrows
meant that there were no large flat surfaces to absorb the heat of the
Sun. This messy looking surface also had the advantage of holding
the moisture in the top layers of the soil.
The lesson to be learned from these examples was to cut sinu-
ous furrows so as to vary exposure to the Sun's rays, but in addition
to give them a north-south alignment, so that the inclined surfaces
of the furrows would be shaded for part of the day and exposed to
the Sun only when it was low in the sky. This meant that the young
growing sprouts had the maximum amount of moisture when most
needed.Grazing and grass cutting
Conventional mechanical grass mowers have an effect on the grass
similar to that of the standard iron plough on the soil. The inclined
blade uses a crushing action that damages the capillaries of the
grass stalks, and shreds the top of the stalks for several millimetres,
allowing the grass to bleed and bacteria to enter. Instead of apply-
ing its energies to new growth, the grass stems have to heal the
wounds, which can take a week.
Viktor Schauberger's observation of animals was profound. He
HIDDEN NATURE