BddK IV. WHEEL PLOUGHS. 377 



side of the share, which serves the purpose of slicing off the furrow as well as the coulter. 

 This tin or feather must be placed at the same angle as the coulter, and should terminate 

 in a lance-like shape, in order to furnish the least obstruction to stubble, weeds, or 

 stones. This plough is not liable to be choaked by stubble, or thrown out by catching 

 small stones between the points of the coulter and sock. It is found particularly useful 

 in taking the earth away from the sides of a drill crop ; as its broad upright feather, which 

 operates as a coulter, completely shields tlie plants from all risk of earth falling on them 

 from the left side of the plough, while, at the same time, the ploughman ascertains, to a 

 certainty, that the part of the plough below ground, approaches no nearer to the roots 

 of the plants, than the upper part does to their leaves ; so that he can bring the plough 

 to slice off the earth close in upon their sides, if necessary. In point of draught, it is 

 precisely the same as the common plough. 



2500. The double mould-boarded plough is a kind of plough often used with advan- 

 tage in clearing out furrows, in setting potatoes, cabbage, and other similar crops, and in 

 earthing up such as are planted in wide rows. Those whose mould-boards move on 

 hinges, and may be set wide or narrow at pleasure, are the most convenient. 



2501 . The ribbing plough or binot is almost the same thing as the| double mould- 

 boarded plough, and the one is commonly soid for the other with no loss to the pur- 

 chaser. It has two mould-boards, one on each side of the beam : it is used on some 

 soils in forming a ribbed or rigged bed for wheat or other grains, by which when sown 

 broadcast, it comes up in rows. It is also used in earthing up crops; and sometimes, 

 but never by the best cultivators, in giving the first furrow to stubbles, 



2502. The single hoe plough is also often useful in stirring the mould in the intervals 

 of different sorts of crops, and laying it to the roots of the plants, and thereby prevent- 

 ing the growth of weeds. The mould-board in this plough is so constructed that it can 

 be raised or depressed at pleasure according to the nature of the crop, and the intention 

 with which it is used. 



2503. The marking plough is used in straightening and regulating the distance of 

 ridges where tlie drill system is practised. Any plough with a rod fixed at right angles 

 to the beam and a short piece depending from this rod, will trace a line parallel to the 

 furrow drawn by the plough, which line will serve for a guide as to the width of 

 ridges, &c. 



2504. Finlaysons rid plough is Small's plough, formed of iron with a crane-necked 

 beam rising from the point where the coulter enters it, so as to form an easy curve with 

 the top of the coulter. By this means whatever stubble, roots, or other rubbisli the 

 coulter may collect, rises or is forced upwards, follows the curve till coming under the 

 beam it drops, and is either buried in the present furrow, or lies to be interred by the 

 next according to the side on which it drops. It is an implement which may be of use 

 under particular circumstances, but by no means generally. 



2505. Clymers plough (fig. 287.), is 

 a recent modification of the implement, 

 formed entirely of iron, and chiefly re-*^ 

 markable for the absence of the coulter, 

 and for the share, mould-board, and other 

 parts which move under ground, being 

 composed of distinct pieces of cast iron ; 

 this is considered as cheaper to commence 

 with and easier to repair, because any 

 one part may be renewed of the same material without deranging the rest ; whereas 

 renewing or repairing wrought iron shares, mould-boards, or coulters, is found in many 

 districts both difficult and expensive. 



SuBSECT. 2. jyhecl Ploughs. 



2506. IFheel ploughs in tlieir construction vary considerably in different places, 

 according to the nature of soils and other circumstances ; but in every form, and in all 

 situations, they probably require less skill in the ploughman. Wheels seem, indeed, 

 to have formed an addition to ploughs, in consequence of the want of experience in 

 ploughmen ; and in all sorts of soil, but more particularly in those which are of 

 a stony and stubborn quality, they afford great assistance to such ploughmen, enablin<T 

 them to perform their work with greater regularity in respect to depth, and with much 



more neatness in regard to equality of surface. From the friction caused by the wheels, 

 they, however, give much greater resistance, and consequently demand more strength in 

 the team that is employed ; and, besides, are more expensive in their construction, and 

 more liable to be put out of order, as well as more apt to be disturbed in their progress 

 by clods, stones, antl other inequalities that mav be on the surface of tlie ground, than 

 those of the swing kind. It is also observed, " that with wkcel^ ploughs,, workmen are 



