INSTRUMENTS OF HUSBANDRY. 7'3 



plain the origin, nature, and advantages of his improve- 

 ments. 



The ploughs in Scotland are now almost universally 

 worked by horses; but some intelligent farmers on the bor- 

 ders, think Jit of advantage to have some ploughs worked by 

 oxen also, as they are not so high-priced, and more cheap- 

 ly maintained ; they are of opinion, therefore, that any ex- 

 traordinary stock, not constantly required, should be of 

 that description. 



For cleaning green crops, a double plough, which takes 

 a furrow from each side of the row, is reckoned to be a 

 great improvement, and if properly used, renders the mould 

 as fine as that of a garden. 



In general, the horses are yoked a-breast, and never in 

 a line, excepting to take up the last furrow in a wet wheat 

 seed-time, to prevent poaching.* 



In some parts of Scotland, it is necessary to have strong 

 ploughs, calculated for breaking up marshy ground, or old 

 ley, where furze perhaps may abound, and, in such cases, 

 four horses are necessary ; and farmers make it a rule, to 

 have a spare plough or two, so that the horses may not be 

 kept idle, in case one of the ploughs should accidentally 

 break. 



2. HARROWS. The harrows used in Scotland are made 

 partly of wood, and partly of iron ; but of late, harrows 

 have been made entirely of iron, which are reckoned far 

 superior to the common sort, particularly when harrowing 

 deep lands, as from the narrowness of the bulls or bars, the 

 earth does not clog them.f The construction of harrows 



* Communication from Mr Gray of Gorgiemoor. 

 t Communication from Mr Robert Hope of Fentoa, 



