

36 THE MOLE PLOUGH. 



two years : whereas in stiff soils, those are running 

 well at present that were made six or seven years 

 ago. Another remark that should be made, relates 

 to the strength of the draft. Without wheels the 

 mole plough demands 1O, 12, and even 14 horses; 

 these, when the land is wet, do almost as much 

 mischief in trampling as the drains can do good. 

 The addition, therefore, which has been made to 

 this implement, of wheels before and a roller be- 

 hind, is of essential importance, and reduces the 

 team to six horses. It is certainly an excellent tool, 

 if well applied. 



A precaution, which should be mfent'ioned here, 

 is, on grass land, to open a furrow with a good 

 common plough, or better, with an open furrow 

 drain plough, in order that the mole plough may 

 follow; and finish the work by turning back the fur- 

 row. This defends the slit from the frost, which 

 otherwise is apt to moulder down the earth, to the 

 hazard of stopping the drains. 



The state in which land should be for draining, 

 admits but of one question, the right moment for 

 applying the Essex method of hollow-draining ? 

 With respect to this there is a diversity of opinion, 

 and, perhaps, with some propriety, it being a point 

 on which something may be advanced on both 

 sides. As to all other circumstances, such as the 

 greater exertions of large open drains ; the brick 

 soughs of Mr. Elkington, &c. they should be un- 

 exceptionably performed previously to all tillage ; 

 an assertion which' many practical reasons support. 



They 



