OF RIDGING. 



1(59 



This mode also does not answer, for when the plough 

 is going up, the ploughman is obliged to force the earth 

 against the bank, which makes but very indifferent work; 

 and it cannot be done without injury to the cattle. 



4. From the top of the bank sloping to the right. 



This is the proper plan to be adopted, for when the 

 ridges are laid in this manner, the ground always falls from 

 the plough, as it goes upwards, without any great exertions 

 on the part either of the ploughman or cattle. The ground 

 is not forced against the bank, until the plough is coming 

 down, and then it is done with so much more ease, that 

 one-third less strength of cattle will plough an equal quan- 

 tity of land. 



Some farmers, however, when a field is very steep, 

 plough only down hill, the plough being drawn up hill 

 empty. By this method the horses travel up hill in less 

 than half the time they could go with a furrow, and by 

 being quite fresh at the top, they come down with spirit ; 

 and by giving the direction a little to the left in going 

 down, the furrow falls away from the plough freely, every 

 inch of the soil is perfectly raised, and lies so close toge- 

 ther, that lying in that state for one year in some soils, and 

 in others for two years, the sod rots, and being all laid one 

 way, cuts easily by the plough ; whereas, when attempting 

 to plough against the hill, the ploughing is not half done, 

 grows up in grass, and, when cross ploughed, makes a bad 

 appearance. The fighting against the hill also, hurts a 

 horse, in one day, more than three days' ploughing in the 



