Implements of the Farm. 33 



Concerning the twelve oxen plough, Dr. James 

 Anderson, (of whom some particulars are given further 

 on) says : " The plough itself is beyond description 

 bad ; and it is of so little consequence to perpetuate 

 the memory of what can never be imitated elsewhere, 

 that I shall omit the description of it. I shall only 

 observe that it makes rather a triangular rut in the 

 ground than a furrow, leaving the soil for the most 

 part equally fast on both sides of it, so that if all the 

 loosened earth were stripped from a plowed field, it 

 would remain nearly in this form AAAAA only, it would 

 sometimes happen that a gap would be made in these 

 protuberances." Yet, rude as the plough was and im- 

 perfect its equipments, under the steady persevering 

 pull of the team of great sinewy oxen of six or seven 

 years old, so long as it could be kept in the ground, it 

 made a large if unshapely furrow, turning over or 

 pushing aside a mass of soft earth, and clearing away 

 obstacles, such as " earth fast" stones that stood in 

 the way, aye and until the soam broke or other part 

 of the gearing gave way. 



The plough wright, when his services were needed, 

 went to the farm, and if he was an early riser, and his 

 wood looked out beforehand, would contrive to build 

 a plough in sufficient time for the ploughman and 

 "gaudman" to take their team a-field. The imple- 

 ment he had to construct was hardly more elaborate, 

 though it may be safely believed a good deal clumsier, 

 than that which had been used by the Israelites when 

 they dwelt in the Land of Canaan. And certainly it 

 was much inferior in design and material to the plough 

 of the ancient Romans, described by Pliny, as in use 

 in his time. The tools the plough-wright used were 

 a saw, an axe, an adze, and a large forming iron and 

 wimble. The only parts made of iron were the 

 coulter and " sock ; " and the " cheek-rack" or bridle 

 (if such there were). The mould board was of 

 wood, and the frame was kept together chiefly by 

 4 



