RIDGE-AND-FURROW. 357 



against the hill." Ridge-and-furrow ploughing was applied 

 not only to hilly land, but also to level ground which was 

 more or less water-logged, so as to drain the ridges. 

 Although this kind of drainage has gone out of use in the 

 Midlands many years ago, when plough gave way to pasture, 

 ridge-and-furrow still remains strongly in evidence, especially 

 in Leicestershire. The difference between the top of the 

 ridges and the bottom of their respective furrows, varies from 



Fig. 237. Railway posts and rails ; about 5 ft. 4 in. high. 



about eighteen inches to three feet six. It appears that in 

 the time of the Commonwealth, Leicestershire was all plough. 

 There is a great difference in the ability of horses to cross 

 ridge-and-furrow. Some, usually the short legged, compact 

 sort, quickly learn to glide over it with the facility of a fox ; 

 and others insist on jumping each furrow, instead, as they 

 ought to do, taking the furrows in their stride, which they 

 should regulate for this purpose. Galloping across ridge- 

 and-furrow greatly tries the forelegs and shoulders of horses 

 that are heavy in front. 



