502 Of Ploughing. 



nures, which have a tendency to rise to the surface, are pro- 

 perly covered. This cannot be done by shallow ploughing, 

 in consequence of which, much of the value of these manures 

 is lost. And, 5. By deep ploughing, a more abundant crop 

 is raised, than can be got from a shallow furrow, and the crop 

 is more equal over the whole field ( I0 ). An intelligent far- 

 mer indeed, after explaining, That deep ploughing increases 

 the staple of the soil, keeps the roots of the corn from being 

 injured by wetness, and also enables the crop longer to re- 

 sist drought, adds, " / have ever found that practice attend- 

 " ed with good crops, when ridges, shallow ploughed, in the same 

 "field, were but indifferent ("):" a remark which furnishes 

 a decisive proof in favour of deep ploughing. When strong 

 lands also, are only thinly ploughed, the finer pulverized 

 parts, are apt to be washed into the furrows and lost. 



5. Preparation for deep Ploughing. 



In Kent, the farmers have a practice which merits the at- 

 tention of their brethern in other districts, that of broad-shar- 

 ing their wheat and other stubbles, as a preparation for pease 

 and beans, and to enable them to plough deeper with more 

 advantage. It is done by means of a broad-share, or strong 

 plate or hoe, with the ends a little thrown back, from 18 to 

 26 inches wide, having a staple in the upper surface, by 

 which it is fixed to the plough. With this implement, the 

 ground is cut to the depth of three or four inches, and the 

 soil thrown into slight baulks, which is done at the rate of 

 three acres per day, by three or four horses. These baulks 

 are harrowed down, and all weeds and rubbish carefully 

 carried off'. After this operation, which is favourable to the 

 destruction of weeds, and collects a great quantity of mate- 

 rials for the dunghill, it is not difficult to plough the land 

 to any proper depth, and the raw bottom is turned up, and 

 meliorated by the winter's frost, and the succeeding sum- 

 mer's sun, where fallowing is practised ( Ia ). 



6. Manner of laying the Furrow-Slice. 



In several districts in England, as in Norfolk, 'where the 

 land is dry, and consequently does not require ridges, or 

 where the seed is deposited by the drill or dibble, it is usual, 

 to lay the furrow-slice quite flat, but in Northumberland, 

 and in Scotland, a contrary system is adopted. It is found- 

 ed on this idea, that as two of the principal objects in plough- 



