Chap. XVI. O/Ridges. 24 f 



Note, That every time of plowing, the Pairs muft: 

 be changed, fo that the Furrow, which had Two 

 Ridges turned towards it one time, muft have Two 

 turned from it the next time : This Method keeps the 

 Surfaces of all the Ridges (or Lands) pretty near 

 even (a). 



Farmers are at more Trouble and Pains to drown 

 fuch Land (it being common to break their Horfes 

 Wind in plowing up Hill) than they would be at, if 

 they laid their Ridges in the abovefaid Manner, 

 which would effectually make them dry. Many 

 hundred Acres of good Ground are fpoiled ; and 

 many a good Horfe, in plowing againfl the Hill, and 

 againft all Reafon, Demonflration, and Experience 

 too ; which might be learned even from the Iri/b 9 

 who drain their Bogs, and make them fruitful, whilft 

 fome Evglifh bellow much Labour to drown and make 

 barren many of their Hills, which would more eafi- 

 ly be made dry and fertile. 



I have obferved, that thofe Places of fuch an Hill, 

 that, when plowed with the Defcent, were the wetted, 

 and never produced any thing that was fown on 

 them, became the very richeft, when made dry by 

 plowing crofs the Defcent. This (hews that Water 

 does not impoverifh Land, but the contrary ; tho', 

 whilft it ftands thereon, it prevents the Heat which 

 is neceftary to the Production of mod Sorts of Ve- 

 getables : And where it runs fwiftly, it carries much 

 Earth away with it ; where it runs flowly, it depofits 

 and leaves much behind it, 



Though in all Places, where this Way of making 

 the Ridges crofs the Defcent of Hills is pradifed, 

 the Land becomes dry -, yet very few Farmers will 



(a) Note, This cannot be done on an Hill, whofe Declivity is 

 -fo great, that the Plough is not able to turn a Furrow againft it. 

 But in tnis Cafe, perhaps, it may be fufficient to plow the Ridges 

 cbliquely enough for the Furrow to be turned bo:h Ways. 



R 3 alter 



