380 



SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part II. 



2520. Grei/'s draining Plough (Jig- 294.) seems one of the best. The beam is strongly 

 fortified with iron, and is always kept at a proper distance from the surface of the 

 ground, and also the depth 

 of the drain regulated 

 by two wheels (a a) which 

 turn on an iron axle, and 

 roll upon the surface on 

 each side of the drain. 

 The middle coulter is made 

 to cut perpendicular ; con- 

 sequently, the side coulters 

 will cut the two sides of 

 the drain at an equal slope. 

 When this machine is at 

 work, the earth of the 

 drain is cut in the middle 

 by the foremost coulter, 

 and on each side by the 

 other two coulters. Then 

 the sharp point of the share 

 will cut up that earth from its bed, and as the machine advances, it must ascend on the 

 surface of the inclined plane ; at the same time, the fore-ends of the mould-boards, 

 following in the track of the middle coulter, will divide the slice of earth as it rises, 

 into two equal parts, turning these parts gradually to each side ; and as the back-ends of 

 the mould -boards extend farther than the breadth of the drain above, the portion of 

 earth so raised will be placed upon the firm ground, leaving the drain quite open. The 

 frame into which the axle is fixed, may easily be either raised up or depressed, according 

 as the drain is to be cut deep or shallow ; and the two outside coulters can easily be 

 placed more or less oblique, so as to cut the sides of the drain at a greater or less slope, 

 as may be found necessary. [Greijs Implements^ ^c 4to.) 



295 ^^:^ 2521. The gutter plough (fig. 



295.) is made use of for forming 

 gutter drains in grass lands, where 

 the soil is of a retentive nature. 

 The power of six horses is required 

 in drawing it for the first time ; but 

 four horses are found sufficient for 

 opening the old gutters. 



2522. The mole plovgh (Jig. 296.) 

 was invented by Adam Scott, and improved by Lumbert of Gloucesterslure. It is said 

 to be an implement which in ductable 296 



soils and situations, as in pleasure- 

 grounds, and where much regard is 

 had to the surface-appearance of the 

 land, may be of considerable benefit 

 in forming temporary . drains. It 

 makes a drain without opening the 

 surface any more than merely for the u:iv."----- 



passage of a thin coulter, the mark of which soon disappears : it is chiefly employed in 

 such grass-lands as have a declination of surface, and where there are not many obstruc- 

 tions to contend with ; but some think it may be used in other kinds of land, as on turnip- 

 grounds that are too wet for the sheep to feed them off, or where, on account of the 

 wetness, the seed cannot be put into the earth. With tliis plough the drains should be 

 made at the distance of ten or fifteen feet in straight lines, and also contrived so as to dis- 

 charge themselves into one large open furrow, or grip, at the bottom of the field. As it 

 requires great strength to draw this implement, it can only be used where a good team 

 is kept. 



2523. Lumbert not only brought this plough to its present shape, but finding the sur- 

 face greatly injured by the feet of so many horses as were found necessary to draw it, he 

 invented a piece of machinery (jig. 297.) consisting of a vvindlass, frame, and anchor, by 

 which it is worked by the labor of four men. Young, and other members of the Board 

 of Agriculture, expressed themselves greatly enamoured of this plan ; but it is obvious- 

 ly too complicate and expensive for general use. 



2524. A subsequent improvement, hy Lumbert, consisted in the addition of a ginwheel 

 and lever, by which the machine was worked by one horse walking round it, as in a com- 

 mon horse-mill; and this last form has again been improved by the late mechanist, Weir, 

 of Oxford-street, London, by the addition of a vertical cylinder; which windti up the chaixi. 



