Of Harrowing. 8 1 9 



SECT. IV. Of Harrowing. 



THIS process is of essential use in the culture of arable 

 lands. By harrowing, the soil is pulverized ; root-weeds 

 near the surface are torn out and collected, more especial- 

 ly during the operation of fallowing; the manure that has 

 been inserted in the soil, is more thoroughly mixed with it ; 

 and the seed is more effectually covered ( 5 5). The large, 

 or what are called the brake harrows, are of great use also, 

 in the cultivation of rough land ( 5 v^ 



To answer so many various purposes, harrows of different 

 dimensions, weight, and strength, have been invented, suit- 

 able to the strength and condition of the soil, and adapted 

 to the particular purpose intended to be accomplished. 



There are two modes of driving the harrows : either lead- 

 ing the horses, or driving them by whip-reins. The latter 

 ought to be preferred, as the horses move with a quicker 

 step, and the driver runs no risk of injury, while he is al- 

 ways at hand, to remove any obstructions that may occur, 

 from the accumulation of weeds, and other extraneous sub- 

 stance among the tines, or by the harrows riding on each 

 other ( 5 f). 



Harrowing is usually performed in different directions; first 

 in length, then across, and finally lengthwise as at first ( 5 6). 

 An excess of harrowing is prejudicial to wheat; it is better, 

 for that crop, to have the land rough and rather cloddy; but 

 the process ought to be effectually done for barley, (more 

 especially if accompanied by grass-seeds), and for turnips. 



The quantity done, must vary according to the pace of 

 the horses. In Norfolk, it is the custom to walk the horses 

 against the rise, if any, and to trot them back again in the 

 same place. The quantity done in this way, is about seven 

 acres per day (*|. In Scotland, a man and a pair of horses, 

 will do a single tine, as it is called, to the extent of ten 

 acres ; but if a double tine, only five acres per day. The 

 expense in the one case is 10d., and in the second Is. 8d. 

 per acre. 



As the treading of horses is injurious to the land, when in 

 wet condition, attempts have been made, to discover a mode 

 of harrowing, which might be performed by horses walking 

 in the furrows ({$. But where the ridges are broad, such 

 machines are complicated and expensive, though, with nar- 

 row ridges, they have succeeded ; and this is one of the advan- 

 tages which narrow ridges have over broad ones. 



