130 A PRACTICAL. TREATISE 



was formerly brought from Holland. This Dutch paring 

 plough is worked by a pair, and sometimes even by four 

 horses: it was originally constructed with only one handle, 

 from the hinder part of which projects a kind of crutch, hori- 

 zontally disposed, and upon this the holder bears with his left 

 hand, walking upright. From the same handle another crutch 

 projects at right angles with the former, but much lower 

 down ; and this the holder uses occasionally with his right 

 hand, for the purpose either of assisting to keep the plough 

 steady, or to turn it at the land's end: latterly, however, it 

 has been commonly made with stilts, in the common form 

 Instead of a foot, or wheel, to support the beam of the plough, 

 they use what they call 'a scaife,' which is a circular plate ot 

 iron turning constantly round, the edges of which are steeled, 

 and, together with the edge of the share, are kept very sharp 

 by means of a file, which the ploughman carries with him for 

 that purpose, for the share goes so near the surface, that it 

 meets with many strong roots and much -coarse grass, which 

 require keen instruments to cut them. The wheel coulter is 

 found better adapted for ploughing among the rough sedge of 

 those marshes than the sword one, and an appendage, called 

 'a boy,' is likewise sometimes added to lap in the rushes, 

 which it does effectually. 



In some parts of Berkshire they also have a broad share, — 

 though now seldom used, — the frame-work of which rests upon 

 a pair of large wheels, commonly the old fore-wheels of a 

 wagon, one man driving, and lifting the share at the head- 

 lands, while another rides upon the frame, between the stilts. 

 It is drawn by four horses, and being four feet long in the 

 share, though it pares or hoes the ground commonly to the 

 depth of full three inches, it yet goes over a large extent of 

 land. 



The last implement to mention, and, perhaps, in many situa- 

 tions the best for the purpose, is the common plough ; for, 

 by using it, the business proceeds with greater despatch, and 

 is attended with less expense for the cutting part, though 

 more for burning: but then there is the great advantage of 

 having much of the soil, which is not burned, pulverized and 

 prepared for the ensuing crops, which is an advantage not 

 attainable in the other method. 



The operation of paring with the common plough is, how- 

 ever, much facilitated by the addition of a share, of two feet in 

 width, stripped of its mould-board. It is fixed by two st-andard 



