46 BRITISH HUSBANDRY. [Ch. IV. 



becomes necessary to give it a greater curvature, it must be ploughed 

 again, with furrows of less width than the former, but deeper at the centre, 

 and gradually decreasing in depth towards the skirts, whicli operation is 

 termed gathering. 



It is sometimes desirable to th.row two ridges into one ; which is per- 

 formed by causing the plough to enter at the inter-furrow, and to lay the 

 successive plits of the whole ridge in the same direction, doing the same in 

 an opposite direction with the adjoining ridge; but the inter-furrow which 

 lies between the two ridges unavoidably leaves a shoulder, or hollow place, 

 of more or less width according to the expertness of the ploughman, in the 

 centre of the crown, which defect can only be completely relieved by re- 

 ploughing. This, however, may be partly prevented by using two ploughs 

 carrying different mould-boards, then striking deep narrow furrows on 

 the insides, and shallow wide furrows on the outside ; or, if only one be 

 used, it should have a mould-board considerably wider set than is required 

 for light soils, in order that the furrow may be close cut below and duly 

 turned over*. This operation is called casting. 



It is also frequently found expedient, in the process of summer fallowing, 

 to alter the form of the ridge by putting the centre in the place of the inter- 

 furrow ; which is done by commencing at the side of the furrow, laying 

 the first plit towards it, and then returning by another bout on the opposite 

 side and laying that plit against it, and is distinguished as crown and fur- 

 row. Or, sometimes the ridges are divided by cutting them at the centre, 

 thus forming an additional interfurrow, and ])loughing from each in the 

 common way, so as to form new ridges of half the former width, which is 

 known as slitting or cleaving. 



In summer fallowing, the entire field is likewise generally ploughed in a 

 direction across that of the former ridges ; but, as the intention is merely 

 to stir the land more efl'ectually and afterwards to replace the ridges in 

 their old position by a subsequent ploughing, these ridges are usually made 

 of greater breadth, and the same neatness is not requisite as in any of the 

 former operations : it is, not unaptly, denominated cross-ploughing. 



Another mode of cleansing leys and stubbles consists in ploughing 

 alternate furrows, and laying each plit upon the adjoining unploughcd land ; 

 by which means, although only one-half of the soil is stirred, it wears the 

 appearance of a complete fallow, and the surfaces of the sods being turned 

 against each other, the grass and weeds are rotted. It is therefore much 

 practised in many places as a saving of labour ; but, as it only ])artially 

 exposes the soil to the atmosphere, it is not to be recommended. How- 

 ever, when thought expedient, the furrow-slices should be cut somewhat 

 broader than the balks, or unploughed ground on which they are turned ; 

 for, if laid in plits of the same breadth, and the land be at all clayey, they 

 remain solid and unporous : whereas, by leaving the balk something nar- 

 rower, and letting the edge of the ])lit overhang it, the inverted sod is 

 shivered into pieces, and more effectually exposed to the weather. It is 

 indiflferently named balking ; or, more commonly, raftering. 



In whatever mode these various operations are performed, it is further 

 necessarv, when they have been completed and the land is ready for tlie 

 reception of the seed, to draw deep furrows through the headlands, in order 

 to allow a free passage for the water which may be collected from the 

 ridges to fiow into the adjoining ditch. These, and indeed all the inter- 

 furrows between the ridges, should also be deepened and levelled, if neces- 



* See Marshall's View of Agric, Digest, p. 79 5 and Brown of Markle, on Rural 

 Affairs; vol. i. p. 219, 



