2^0 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



haps three times, the strength that is necessary in the 

 former. * 



2. In cleaving the earth, the plough is governed by the 

 principle of the wedge : Like the wedge, therefore, the 

 share and the mouldboard should widen uniformly, and 

 very gradually. The bottom of the plough should be of 

 pretty good length, and somewhat narrower than the usual 

 \vidth of the sward which it turns over at one furrow. 

 Thus, if it usually cut ten inches in width of the sward, 

 the widest part of the share, and of the bottom of the 

 plough behind, should no be quite nine inches. But the 

 upper side of the mouldboard, behind, should project over 

 beyond this width as much as four inches, in order to lay 

 the sward completely over, 



3 The coulter should be set with its lower end in a 

 very slanting direction forward, so as to run under the 

 sward and raise it some in cuting it. The share should be 

 so shaped as to assist in raising the sward, gradually, till it 

 is received by the mouldboard ; which, by its twisting 

 shape, should as gradually turn it over. 



4 In order for the plough to run steadily, it should have 

 a good length of beam, and it should not be set too high. 

 If the beam be short, and set high, the plough will raise up 

 behind. The beam should, however, be so curved as to 

 rise considerably where the coulter passes through it, in 

 order that the plough shall be less liable to clog, when 

 used in weedy, or stubble, ground. 



5 But, after giving the plough the best possible shape, 

 a very essential point is r to have every part that is worn by 

 the earth, in turning the furrow, either plated with, or made 

 of, cast iron, or well hardened steel. If the share is made 

 of the former, the chip may be cast with it, so as to form 

 but one piece ; or, if the chip be of wood, it should be 

 covered with plates of cast iron, where it rubs against the 

 earth The mouldboard should also be cast; and it should 

 be smooth, so that the earth will not adhere to it, as it does 

 to a wooden mouldboard, when ploughing in ground which 

 is somewhat wet A plough, thus made, passes as much 

 easier through the ground, than one whose mouldboard and 

 chip are merely of wood; as a sled, shod with cast iron r 

 draws easier over the bare earth, than one that is shod 

 wuh wood. 



Cast-iron ploughshares answer very well in smooth lands, 

 and are much cheaper than those made of wrought iron. 

 They, however, require an edge, made of hardened steel, 

 which is fastened to the share in such manner as to be 

 readily taken off, at pleasure. 



The German Farmers of this county, and its vicinity, 

 znake use of a large heavy plough, supported by two 



