RIDGE-AND-FURROW. 



357 



against the hill." Ridge-and-furrow ploughing was applied 

 not only to hilly land, but also to level ground which was 

 more or less water-logged, so as to drain the ridges. 

 Although this kind of drainage has gone out of use in the 

 Midlands many years ago, when plough gave way to pasture, 

 ridge-and-furrow still remains strongly in evidence, especially 

 in Leicestershire. The difference between the~ top of the 

 . ridges and the bottom of their respective furrows, varies from 



Fig. 237. Railway posts and rails ; about 5 ft. 4 in. high. 



about eighteen inches to three feet six. It appears that in 

 the time of the Commonwealth, Leicestershire was all plough. 

 There is a great difference in the ability of horses to cross 

 ridge-and-furrow. Some, usually the short legged, compact 

 sort, quickly learn to glide over it with the facility of a fox ; 

 and others insist on jumping each furrow, instead, as they 

 ought to do, taking the furrows in their stride, which they 

 should regulate for this purpose. Galloping across ridge- 

 and-furrow greatly tries the forelegs and shoulders of horses 

 that are heavy in front. 



