THE SOUTHDOWN SHEPHERD 201 



so that they swing or work almost independently, not 

 unlike a field-gun limbered up. 



The pillars of the framework have numerous holes, so 

 that the plough can be raised or lowered, that the share 

 may dig deep or shallow. Then there is the " cock-pin," 

 the " road-bat " (a crooked piece of wood), the " sherve- 

 wright " (so pronounced) shelvewright (?) the " rist," 

 and spindle, besides, of course, the usual coulter and 

 share. When the oxen arrive at the top of the field, and 

 the first furrow is completed, they stop, well knowing their 

 duty, while the ploughman moves the iron rist, and the 

 spindle which keeps it in position, to the other side, and 

 moves the road-bat so as to push the coulter aside. 

 These operations are done in a minute, and correspond 

 in some degree to turning the rudder of a ship. The 

 object is that the plough, which has been turning the 

 earth one way, shall now (as it is reversed to go down- 

 hill) continue to turn it that way. If the change were 

 not effected when the plough was swung round, the 

 furrow would be made opposite. Next he leans heavily 

 on the handles, still standing on the same spot ; this 

 lifts the plough, so that it turns easily as if on a 

 pivot. 



Then the oxen " jack round " that is, walk round 

 so as to face downhill, the framework in front turning 

 like the fore-wheels of a carriage. So soon as they face 

 downhill and the plough is turned, they commence work 

 and make the second furrow side by side with the first. 

 The same operation is repeated at the bottom, and thus 

 the plough travels straight up and down, always turning 

 the furrow the same way, instead of, as in the valleys, 

 making a short circuit at each end, and throwing the 

 earth in opposite directions. The result is a perfectly 

 level field, which, though not designed for it, must suit 



