10 On the Draught of Ploughs. 



has shown us that great differences do exist in ph)iighs, and 

 proves that a great portion of tlie kingdom are, in the important 

 operation of ploughing, needlessly expending a large amount of 

 labour. 



A spirit of improvement has existed for some years, and the 

 exertions of plough- makers in many parts of the country have 

 furnished the farmers with implements greatly improved in 

 draught, working powers, and economy in wear. The principal 

 object that now claims the zealous and diligent pursuit of both 

 parties, is lightness of draught, for the important purpose of econo- 

 mizing horse-labour. As a first step to this desirable attainment^ 

 no better course, I think, can be pursued than endeavouring to 

 ascertain in every district, by means of the dynamometer or 

 draught-gauge, the lightest plough suited to soil and circumstances, 

 and improving that to the greatest degree. No agricultural 

 association or farmers' club should be without one of these instru- 

 ments. Neighbours should subscribe to possess one in common ; 

 and a farmer or country resident will do a kindness to his friends 

 and neighbours by inviting them with their ploughs to a trial of 

 their respective merits in draught as well as in other properties. 



It was a desire to satisfy my neighbours and myself of the great 

 disparity in point of draught existing among the various ploughs 

 used in this district, that led to the experiment of which you have 

 requested me to send you the result; and with this I will com- 

 bine others that I have made on my farm both before and since, 

 and also one in Kent connected with a meeting of the Isle of 

 Thanet Association. 



I shall be glad if others be induced to make and register simi- 

 lar and more complete trials in their own neighbourhoods. 



The drauo-ht-o^auofe, to a certain extent, is as essential to the 

 farmer as common weights and measures. To work an unne- 

 cessarily heavy-drawing plough is like selling corn by a larger 

 bushel than the standard. So many stones' draught gained in 

 ploughing a given piece of ground are in fact a saving of so much 

 hay and corn. In short, to pass over intermediate calculations, a 

 stone marked on the face of the dynanometer should be considered 

 to represent so many pounds, shillings, or pence. It might not 

 be difficult to give an idea of what one of these stones in draught 

 is worth in horse-keep ; and if I have time before closing this 

 paper, I will enter into the calculation ; of course considering, 

 along with mere draught, the relative cost also of time and speed. 



About fifteen years ago, in accordance with a movement which 

 pretty generally took place in this part of Oxon and Berks, I re- 

 linquished the old wooden plough, and adopted the lightest 

 plough then manufactured by Messrs. Perry and Barrett of 

 Reading, and was able to work it with a pair of horses. I have 



