(55 SIMPLE OPERATIONS OF TILLAGE. 



open furrows left in a field the better say in a twelve or sixteen acre field, 

 not more than three or four. If a field is to be ploughed twice in succession, 

 in the same direction, the commencement of the lands in the second ploughing, 

 should be at the place of finishing them in the first ploughing. This will 

 completely fill the old furrows, and prevent any increase in their number. 

 But if the field is to be ploughed in a direction transverse to the former plough- 

 ing, the old furrows should, before commencing it, be filled by ploughing into 

 them about four furrows, that is, two rounds. This will keep the land com- 

 pletely level, which is far preL-rable to ploughing it in small lands. By 

 ploughing in small lands, the field will be thrown up into a great number of 

 ridges, and consequently, a corresponding number of hollows. This will not 

 only expose it much more to the action of heavy rains and floods, but it will 

 produce its crops very unevenly, heavy on the ridges, and dwindling in the 

 furrows; but by keeping the surface level and even, the crops will be uniform 

 over the field; nor will it be exposed so much to the danger of being washed 

 into gulleys by heavy rains. 



"I would further suggest, that if the field has any declivity, to prevent any 

 action from heavy rains, that the last ploughing given it previous to laying 

 any length of time, be in a direction as near as possible at right angles to the 

 descent of the hill." 



II. HARROWING. 



THE next of the simple operations of tillage is that of har- 

 rowing. One man or boy drives a pair of horses and a pair 

 of harrows* though sometimes one person drives three horses 

 and three harrows. The driver walks behind with long reins, 

 which enable him to guide and urge forward the horses; and 

 he must be ready to lift up with his hand or a crooked stick, 

 which he holds for the purpose, the harrows when they are 

 impeded by roots, weeds, or other substances. By lifting up 

 the harrow while in motion, the weeds collected by the teeth, 

 fall down. 



This process is of essential use in the culture of arable lands. 

 By it the soil is more thoroughly pulverized; wet weeds, near 

 the surface, are torn out and collected; and the manure is more 

 intimately mixed with the soil. Harrowing is given in different 

 directions. First in length, then across, and finally in length 

 as at first. 



Besides the clearing of the ground, a purpose in harrowing 

 is to cover the seeds of cultivated plants. The number of har- 

 rowings to be given for this end depends upon the state of the 

 ground and other circumstances. When the surface is matted 

 together by the roots of plants, as in the case of land ploughed 

 when in grass, repeated turns are required to cover the seeds 



* Formerly, and still in many sections, the single harrow alone is used. 



