358 



Report on the Exhibition of linfjlements 



on its surface to fit it for seed. The state in wliich the soil is left 

 by this plough is attempted to be delineated at d ; but it is evident 

 that the degree of pulverization obtained will necessarily vary ac- 

 cording to the greater or less friability of the particular soil acted 

 upon, and according to its condition at the time of ploughing. 

 Upon these circumstances depend both the figure of the furrow- 

 slice c, and the extent of its dismemberment effected by the knives. 



Fiff. 2. 



Mr. Stokes, who has continually used this plough since 1839, 

 in soils varying, as to tenacity, from light sand to stubborn clay, 

 describes the appearance produced by the action of the knives 

 on stiff adhesive soils to be that of a well spade-dug field, only 

 that the work is more evenly and better performed, and that 

 a sufficiently fine tilth is obtained, even on such soils, for the re- 

 ception of seed to be drilled, v/ithout the use of the harrow, 

 and with the further advantage of avoiding the poaching and 

 trampling incident to it. The harrow is, unquestionably, the 

 rudest and least eflficient of all agricultural implemicnts, and a 

 promise seems at length to be held out that, in the preparation 

 of land for subsequent drill husbandry, its use may be occasionally 

 dispensed with ; nor does it seem unreasonable to expect that a 

 single ploughing, with the knives, may, on some soils, save the 

 time and cost of a second ploughing.* 



Douhle-furroio cmd tiirmvrest ploughs.- — The two double- 

 furrow ploughs, the draught of which is recorded in the foregoing 

 Table, were not in perfect trim for work. It is much to be desired 

 that on future occasions the exhibitors of these implements, which 

 are so much ap})roved in certain districts, and on particular soils, 

 would take the precaution to have them sent to the ground pre- 

 viously well set, and be provided with holders accustomed to their 

 management. Others were also tried, but their draught was not 



* For additional information respecting this invention see the end of 

 this Report, p. 363. 



