110 Implements of Husbandry. 



is less; that it is more easily kept in repair; that, when 

 properly made, it requires less strength to draw it ; that it 

 is not easily put out of order ; that it is peculiarly well 

 calculated for light soils ; and that when the land is at all 

 wet, it is not liable to be clogged ( I49 ) 



As a decided proof in favour of swing ploughs, it is stated, 

 that a farmer, accustomed to wheel ploughs on the light 

 soils of Norfolk, proposed using them on a farm of strong 

 loam in Suffolk, to which he had removed ; but upon trying 

 swing and wheel ploughs against each other, he was soon 

 convinced, that the latter fatigued the horses more than the 

 former ; and that with wheel ploughs, he could not support 

 his horses in such good condition, as with swing ones. He 

 is now satisfied, that this would likewise be the case, even 

 in light land ( I5c> ). 



These observations, however, apply to swing ploughs 

 made on a light and ingenious construction, and not to those 

 used in Middlesex, and other districts, which are of so 

 clumsy and heavy a form, as to require the draught of one, 

 or even two additional horses ( l51 ). 



It is at the same time to be remembered, in regard to swing 

 ploughs, that they require experienced labourers. But 

 where these can be had, a swing plough, with a pair of horses 

 abreast, is a most efficient implement. Whether it will 

 work any land at all seasons, is a subject of much dis- 

 pute ( I5z ). It is contended on the one hand, that a union of 

 drying winds, with much heat, continued for a few weeks in 

 summer, renders any clay land hard and difficult to plough ; 

 and in such cases, if the clay should happen to be mixed 

 with gravel, flints, or pebble stones, they become so firmly 

 fixed, as to bid defiance to the efforts of swing ploughs. On 

 the other hand, it is observed, that if all these circumstan- 

 ces were admitted, it does not follow, that wheel ploughs 

 are necessary to working the land, when it has got even into 

 the hard state above described. That swing ploughs will 

 answer in theproper season, even though the ordinary strength 

 is only employed, is unquestionable ; and when the proper 

 season has been neglected, all that is required is, to increase 

 the strength of the impelling power, by means of which, 

 every difficulty may be surmounted ( l53 ). 



2. Wheel ploughs. The advantages of wheel ploughs are, 

 that they require less skill in the ploughman ; that they 

 keep a more regular depth ( l54 ), and will turn a shallower 

 furrow ; that they afford assistance to the ploughman in 

 soils of a stubborn, adhesive, or stony quality ; and that 



