NOTES. 51 



33 This benefit might be obtained, were proprietors to resolve, not to let their 

 land to any one, who did not become bound to use improved swing-ploughs, 

 and, unless in particular cases, worked by two horses. It is said, that I'M the in- 

 fancy of good ploughing, it is a great object, to have, by means of wheels, a 



number of ploughs, upon the same farm, correctly worked by unskilful boys, 

 under the guidance of one good workman to regulate the irons. Remark l>y 

 the Rev. Thomas Jtadcliff". But they will soon learn to plough, without the ap- 

 pendage of wheels, under a skilful and willing overseer. 



34 Kent Report, p. 65. 



35 Kames's Gentleman Farmer, p. 73. Where it is wished to have no in- 

 terfurrows, the best mode is, to plough the land in broad level ridges, and then 

 to fill the interfurrow, by going once round it with the plough. The ridges di- 

 rect the sower, &c. and yet the land, when harrowed, is left quite flat. 



36 Lord Kames is of opinion, that though clayey soils should in all cases be 

 ridged, yet loamy soils should be tilled flat in a dry country, but ridged in a wet 

 one, high or low, according to the degree of moisture and tendency to clay. 

 Gentleman Farmer, p. 75. There is a peculiar mode of forming arable land in 

 some parts of Flanders, in particular, the " Pays de Waes," which it may be 

 proper to describe. The fields are small, usually about seven or eight English 

 acres, and the whole ground is raised in the middle, gradually sloping to the 

 ditches, into which the water naturally descends, the soil being of a sandy qua- 

 lity. These fields are called " Terres Bombes.'" They were formed by the 

 spade, the digging commencing in the centre, and the earth being thrown up- 

 wards. It is singular to see a whole district full of these little hills or eminences. 

 The fields are in general surrounded with trees, whose roots expandAhemselves 

 in a lower stratum than the roots of the grain. 



37 These were the sentiments of that eminent Norfolk farmer, the late Mr 

 Money Hill. 



38 In Suffolk and Essex, where hollow-draining is universal, the ridges are 

 two bouts, or four furrows of the plough, when land is fallowed. By the hollow- 

 drains, every objection on the score of wetness, is removed, but it is a very ex- 

 pensive operation. Communication from the late Arthur Young, Esq. 



59 Marshall's Gloucestershire, vol. i. p. 79. 



40 It is said, that a good sower, will scatter the seed sufficiently correct, in 

 ridges of any breadth ; but such sowers are not always to be met with. 



41 Donaldson's Modern Agriculture, vol. ii. p. 267. 



42 The high ridges of the Vales of Evesham and Gloucester, have long been 

 proverbial. They are often from 1 5 to 20, and even 25 yards wide, and from 

 four feet, to four feet three inches, and sometimes more in height ; but eight 

 yards wide, and from two to two and a half feet high, is the favourite size. 

 Even a ridge of these dimensions, however, is more steep- sided than is neces- 

 sary. These masses of earth, were probably accumulated, in order to render 

 the land dry ; but they cannot be too severely reprobated, since the art of drain- 

 ing has been so much improved. See Marshall's Gloucestershire, vol. i. p. 75 ; 

 Rudge's Gloucestershire, p. 105. When ridges are high in pasture lands, sheep 

 are apt to fall upon their backs between the ridges. This rarely happens, however, 

 but in moonlight nights, for in dark ones they never stir. 



43 Gentleman Farmer, p. 74. From about three to four inches in height, 

 per yard in width, is considered a proper height. In spring crops, oats are bet- 

 ter on flat land than barley, the ordinary varieties of oats requiring more mois- 

 ture than those of barley. 



44 Some farmers, where the field is very steep, plough only down hill, the 

 plough being drawn up empty ; but this is hardly ever necessary, if the fourth 

 plan is adopted. Where the declivity is very considerable, it is questionable 

 whether the land ought to be ploughed at all, the soil is so apt to be washed 

 down the hill. (See Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. ii. p. 142, note). 



45 Gentleman Farmer, p. 97. 



e2 



