Of Ridging. 313 



The drains are generally about two feet and a half deep, 

 and as narrow at the bottom, as an ordinary spade can con- 

 veniently work them. They may be filled with bricks, or 

 small stones, to the depth of rather more than a foot, and 

 covered in the usual manner with straw and earth. 



It is evident, that in addition to every other considera- 

 tion, the breadth of ridges must also depend upon the mode 

 of culture. Where the broad-cast system is followed, the 

 size must be calculated, for enabling the sower to scatter 

 the seed equally over the land ( 4C ). Whereas, when the drill 

 system is adopted, the breadth must be adjusted to the size 

 of the machine. In wet or tenacious soils, it is an excellent 

 plan, to make the horses walk in the furrows, and to drill a 

 whole ridge at once. 



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3. Straightmss of Ridge. 



It is of the greatest advantage, to have the ridge of an equal 

 breadth, and as straight as possible. It is the very essence 

 of good ploughing, to hold the plough even, which it never 

 can be, if it has to work in a curve. Besides, ridges, when 

 very crooked, measure more in the serpentine direction, than 

 when taken in a straight line, and consequently they must 

 require more labour in ploughing, harrowing, &c. than if 

 they had been perfectly straight. That does not imply, that 

 there is more land in the field ; but an improper form, by 

 impeding operations of the plough, materially tends to aug- 

 ment the labour. Every farmer knows by experience, how 

 awkwardly the plough moves in such ridges, and that in 

 finishing them, there must be much more turning. Where 

 the ridges, also, are irregular, or broader at the one end than 

 the other, a considerable waste of seed is likely to be the 

 consequence ; for the seed cannot possibly be scattered with 

 the same regularity, as if the ridge were altogether of the 

 same breadth ( 4 *). 



In regard to crooked ridges, straightening and levelling 

 them, in very stiff wet clays, are very difficult operations, and 

 unless executed with considerable judgment and skill, will 

 be productive of some temporary loss. They should never be 

 attempted but in a year of fallow, and the straightened land, 

 should be supplied, with considerable quantities of calcareous 

 and enriching manures, and subjected to much cross plough- 

 ing, to mix the old and new staple, and to rouse the fertili- 

 ty of the new soil. 



