310 Of Ridging. 



proper length of ridges ; 2. Their breadth ; 3. Their straight- 

 ness ; 4. Their height ; and, 5. The proper line of direc- 

 tion, when the ground is steep. 



X~ 



1. The proper length of Ridges. 



The length of a ridge must vary according to the size of 

 the field, the acclivity of the ground, and the nature of the 

 soil, whether wet or dry. 



In fields with much acclivity, ridges of about 150 yards, 

 (7 chains), are found to be of a convenient length. A longer 

 ridge, in such situations, tends to fatigue the horses; arid if 

 much rain or snow should happen to fall on sloping land, 

 recently ploughed, the finest particles of the soil, and the 

 most valuable parts of the manure, will be washed out of 

 the ground, and conveyed, along the furrows, with too much 

 facility, by a long run, to the headland, or to the nearest 

 brook or river. 



In wet soils, where the ground is flat, a ridge from 240 

 to 300 yards, (from 11 to 14 chains), may be considered as 

 the proper length. If it exceed 300 yards, the water may 

 not easily get away, or it may be necessary to make a head- 

 ridge across the field, so as to form a level for carrying off 

 the extra moisture ; or, at any rate, to make grips, or small 

 open cuts, in the lowest parts of the field, to collect and con- 

 vey the water to the ditch. 



In soils of rather a dry nature, and where the land is level, 

 the ridge may be still longer ; though on the whole, a ridge 

 from 350 to 400 yards, (from 16 to 18 chains), seems to be 

 the preferable length, when circumstances are suitable. If 

 it exceeds the latter size, horses are apt to be fatigued from 

 going so long on a stretch ; and the loss by turning, when 

 the ridge extends to 350 yards, is not considerable. Be- 

 sides, when the ridge is very long, it is not only sown with 

 more difficulty, but it has a tendency to discourage the 

 reapers, when employed in cutting it. 



2. The Breadth of Ridges. 



Few subjects in husbandry, have occasioned a greater di- 

 versity of opinion, than the breadth of ridges. The reasons 

 urged in favour of the different sizes, shall therefore be as- 

 signed, and the reader left to judge, from the statements 

 laid before him, which is most suitable to the soil he culti- 

 vates. 



