a. Tie Breadtb of Ridges. 



This is a subject on which there is a great diversity of 

 opinion, in some cases only 4, in others 30 feet, being 

 recommended *. The material objectioa to narrow 

 ridges is, the great proportion of the ground that is un- 

 profitably occupied by furrows, which are always infe- 

 rior to the rest of the soil. On the other hand, narrow 

 ridges are of use in draining wet soils. Much, however, 

 depends, i. On the depth of the soil ; and, 2. On its 

 texture or quality. 



i. In regard to depth, when the soil is very thin, with 

 a clay or tilly bottom, and the ground very wet, 10 feet 

 ridges are preferred by some farmers, converting them 

 into crown and furrow alternately, by which the best 

 soil is kept near the surface, and never buried : But 

 even in such soils, 18 feet ridges are recommended by 

 high authority \. 



turnings, and of course more land will be ploughed in an 

 ordinary yoking, than when the ridges arc very short. 



* Mr Money Hill, a celebrated Norfolk farmer, is of opi- 

 nion, that when land cannot be drilled before the aoth of 

 October, it is better to plow in the wheat on four feet ridges. 

 On wet soils, this is advisable, because it keeps the seed dry ; 

 and in thin soils, because it increases the staple ; for by this 

 system, the soil of five feet is put on four ; and from many 

 years experience, Mr Hill is convinced, that the produce is as 

 great, as if the whole land had been under crop. 



| The most difficult of all soils to keep dry, (it is remarked 

 by Mr Rennie of Kinblethmont), is a thin wet clay, upon 

 a retentive subsoil ; but even upon such soils, 18 feet ridges 

 are found to keep them fully as dry as any other breadth, 

 as it enables the ploughman to round the ridge completely 

 from the crown to the furrow ; and it is well ascertained, that 

 one furrow for every 18 feet, is quite sufficient for conduct 



