WALTER OF HENLEY 15 



goes floundering, as in mud. And if the plough can go two 

 finger-lengths deeper than at second fallowing, then the 

 plough will find sure ground, and clear and free it from 

 mud, and make fine and good ploughing. 



To KEEP THE RIDGE. 



Allowing do not plough large furrows, but little and 



well laid together, that the seed may fall evenly; if you 

 plough a large furrow to be quick you will do harm. How ? 

 I will tell you. When the ground is sown, then the harrow 

 will come and pull the corn into the hollow which is between 

 the two ridges, and the large ridge shall be uncovered, that 

 no corn can grow there. And will you see this ? When 

 the corn is above ground go to the end of the ridge, and you 

 will see that I tell you truly. And if the land must be sown 

 below the ridge see that it is ploughed with small furrows, 

 and the earth raised as much as you are able. And see that 

 the ridge which is between the two furrows is narrow. And 

 let the earth which lies like a crest in the furrow under the 

 left foot after the plough be overturned, and then shall the 

 furrow be narrow enough. 



To SOW YOUR LANDS. 



Sow your lands in^'time, so that the ground may be 

 settled and the corn rooted before great cold. If by chance 

 it happens that a heavy rain comes or falls on the earth 

 within eight days of the sowing, and then a sharp frost 

 should come and last two or three days, if the earth is full 

 of holes the frost will penetrate through the earth as deep 

 as the water entered, and so the corn, which has sprouted 

 and is very tender, will perish. There are two kinds of land 

 for spring seed which you must sow early, clay land and 

 stony land. Why '? I will tell you. If the weather in March 

 should be dry, then the ground will harden too much and 



