396 



SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part II. 



own single furrow, working one acre, and the well constructed two-furrow plough, with two 

 acres per day ; here is no system deranged, and double work done." (Comm. B. A. vol. ii.) 

 This plough is also of particular value for ploughing up and down steeps. (See 2627.) 



2618. The Argyleshire jdoudt differs from Small's, or any single swing plough, in 

 having no coulter fixed in the beam, but, in lieu of this, a fin or knife rising from the 

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

 coulter. This fin 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 choked 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 the 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 pre- 

 cisely the same as the common plough. 



2619. The double mould-boarded plough is a kind of plough often used with advantage 

 in clearing out furrows, in setting potatoes, cabbages, 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. A variety 

 of this plough, made by Weir of London, admits of removing the mould-boards, and 

 fixino- in curved coulters and hoes, for cleaning between drilled turnips and similar 

 crops. 



2620. The binot is almost the same thing as the double mould-boarded plough, and 

 the one is commonly sold for the other, with no loss to the purchaser. It has two 

 mould-boards, one on each side of the beam. It is used in some soils in forming a ribbed 

 or ridged bed for wheat or other grains ; by which means, when the grain is sown over 

 the ribs or ridgelets in the broadcast manner, as it falls for the most part into the fur- 

 rows, or is harrowed into them, it comes up in rows. It is also used in earthing up 

 crops ; and sometimes, in Flanders, but never by the best cultivators in England, in 

 giving the first furrow to stubbles. 



2621. The marking plough is used in straightening and regulating the distance of 

 ridges where the 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. 



2622. Clymers plough (Jig. 304.) is a recent modification of the implement, 

 formed entirely of iron, and chiefly re- 

 markable for the absence of the coulter, 

 or rather its attachment to the breast, and 

 for the share, mould board, and other parts 

 which move under ground, being com- 

 posed 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. It has never 

 come into use. 



2623. StotharcCs plough is characterised by a perforated mould-board. The holes may 

 be in any form or dimensions ; and their object is to allow the air to pass through, and 

 thereby prevent the adhesion of wet earth, which it is contended adheres in ordinary 

 ploughs with such a degree of tenacity as greatly to increase the friction, and diminish 

 the speed of the horses. (Neu-tons Journal, vol. ii. p. 335.) 



2624. Mortons trenching j>lough (Jig. 305.) has two bodies (ab), the one working four 



305 



304 



