In
agriculture, a
harrow (often called a set of
harrows in a
plurale tantum sense) is an implement for breaking up and smoothing out the surface of the
soil. In this way it is distinct in its effect from the
plough, which is used for deeper
tillage. Harrowing is often carried out on fields to follow the rough finish left by ploughing operations. The purpose of this harrowing is generally to break up clods (lumps of soil) and to provide a finer finish, a good
tilth or
soil structure that is suitable for
seedbed use. Coarser harrowing may also be used to remove
weeds and to cover
seed after sowing. Harrows differ from
cultivators in that they disturb the whole surface of the soil, such as to prepare a seedbed, instead of disturbing only narrow trails that skirt crop rows (to kill weeds).