24 THE PRACTICE OF THE 



is not fuffered to fettle : for the ridges on which 

 the wheat is drilled, are hoed before winter, 

 as foon as the wheat has three or four blades, 

 by ploughing a furrow from each fide of the 

 ridge, within two or three inches of the 

 wheat, which remain fo till the fpring, till the 

 wheat begins to fpindle, and then the plough is 

 run along in the fame furrows that were made 

 before winter; the plough now going deeper, 

 and nearer to the rows of wheat, in order to 

 plough away the earth hardened in the win- 

 ter, that would now obftrucl: the roots of the 

 wheat from extending in the intervals. The 

 earth is then ploughed up in ridges, and this 

 has a fudden and vifible effect on the wheat ; 

 caufing it to grow luxuriantly, and of a 

 healthy dark-green colour. The wheat is 

 likewife now hand -hoed between the rows, 

 and the two narrow flips of earth on the out- 

 fides of the wheat, which were left there by the 

 hoe- plough. In this fituation the land re- 

 mains, till the weeds begin to advance ; and 

 then the earth, in the intervals, is again 

 ploughed up to the rows, and the hand-hoe 

 made uie of between them; the rows are Jike- 

 wife hand- weeded, if neceffary. If the wheat 

 (lands fair, it is again hoed with the hoe- 

 plough, to and from the rows ; and if any 

 earth remains in the furrow between the 

 ridges, it is turned up to them with the hoe- 

 plough at two furrows; or with a double- 

 mold board-plough, which performs it at one 



furrow, 



