34 On a simple Wheat DrilL 



the plough, so as to rise and fall, but not swerve from 

 side to side, will answer this purpose. My drills were 

 covered by a light fence rail, extending across them, and 

 drawn up and down the lands by a horse, for this was 

 considered better than leaving a good deal of wheat en- 

 tirely uncovered, and exposing that which was cover- 

 ed to the running, settling and freezing of water in the 

 drills throughout the winter, which cannot be other- 

 wise than very injurious to the plants. Two of the 

 coulters are fixed in the plough, and also two hoes, 

 which were made for a hoe harrow. I have found four 

 of the latter, fixed in the drill plough, to effect every 

 purpose to my entire satisfaction, of horse-hoeing the 

 wheat after it is up, and they will do this from skim- 

 ing the surface to any desirable depth, the horse, in 

 walking, straddles one of the rows of wheat, and a man 

 leading him, will horse-hoe more acres per day, than 

 could be drilled with the same tool. Triangular hoes 

 are less expensive, more effectual, and stronger, either 

 for the drill or a hoe harrow, but those I used were rea- 

 dy made, and on the farm. If this plough is made by a 

 plough maker, it should not cost as much as a com- 

 mon swing plough, but any farmer who can use tools 

 tolerably, may make it for himself, either in rainy wea- 

 ther, or when he has little else to do, and almost any 

 thing will answer for funnels, as may be seen by the 

 motley mixture of mine ; but tin is best, for the grain 

 is heard running down it, and the tin being smooth, the 

 grain is not liable to be stopped in its progress. 



Yours, 



John Lorain. 

 Dr. James Mease. 



