CHAP. IV. 



SUB-SOILING AND GRIPPING PLOUGHS. 



713 



There are many other ploughs suitable for different purposes, but 

 those we have illustrated are good representatives of the implements 

 commonly used on arable land. It is worth while, however, to call 

 attention in this work to the gripping plough, which is of great value 

 on grass land. 



The gripping plough is intended to open up water-furrows on grass 

 land, and the construction of the mould-board is such that the turf is cut 

 out cleanly on both sides and deposited well away from the grip. This 

 is impossible with an ordinary plough, by which only one side of the 

 furrow is cut, thereby entailing much subsequent labour. 



Fig. 263. Howard's Balance Turn-Wrest Plough. 



Many grass fields become seriously injured through accumulations of 

 water which cannot escape without assistance; yet the depression is often 

 in the form of a very shallow pan, and a slight gutter would be sufficient 

 to relieve the surface of the stagnant water. Where the pan forms near 

 to the side of the field, a short trench may quickly be dug with a spade, 

 but when the pan is at a distance the work is slow and laborious. Water 

 often accumulates at the bottom of ridges where the lands are laid up in 

 ridge and furrow. The injurious effect of the stagnant water is soon 

 noticeable, because the herbage becomes light and harsh, and large has- 



