OF RIDGING. 165 



the breadth must be adjusted to the size of the machine. 

 In wet or tenacious soils, it is an excellent plan, to have 

 the horses walking in the furrows of a ridge, and drilling 

 the whole at once. 



The only other point that remains to be mentioned is, 

 the method of ploughing wet land, where the Bridges have 

 been gathered high for the preceding crop. Some cross 

 the ridges, and open the old furrows afterwards ; but that 

 is not so good a plan as cleaving the ridges, and opening 

 the old furrows, after going a round or two, which leaves 

 the old ridges divided in the middle. Though this method 

 keeps the field equally dry, levels the land better, and gives 

 an opportunity for crossing in the spring if necessary, yet 

 it is by no means calculated to place the ground in a pro- 

 per state during the winter season. But if the land is wet, 

 it would not be advisable to risk cross ploughing, unless 

 when the land is summer fallowed. I am informed, how- 

 ever, that few good farmers ever hazard the cleaving ridges 

 of clay soil, except in the summer months. 



3. Straightness of Ridge. It is extremely material to 

 have the ridge as straight as possible. Mr Curwen justly 

 remarks, that it is the very essence of good ploughing to 

 hold the plough even, which it never can be, if it has to 

 work in a curve. It is calculated that ridges, when much 

 crooked, measure considerably more in the serpentine di- 

 rection, than when taken in a straight line, and conse- 

 quently require more labour in ploughing, harrowing, &c. 



most sowers are not to be trusted, with sowing an 18 feet ridge equally 

 with two casts, or going along one side, and returning on the other. The 

 middle of the ridge, is often too thin sown by those, who have the vanity 

 of sowing 18 feet with two cast?. 



