56 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



is a great improvement, as in the case of land-fast stones and other 

 obstacles which may impede the plough. In this case the work can be 

 stopped, without stopping the engine, in much less time than the engine 

 could be stopped. This windlass is shown in fig. 6. 



Fio. 6. 



For the purpose of having the power of taking the rope in any direction 

 after it comes from the windlass, a machine is invented which is termed 

 the " snatch-block," and is shown in fig. 7. It is fixed immediately in 



Fio. 7, 



front of the windlass, and besides being the means of allowing the rope 

 to be taken in any direction, it also assists in keeping the rope from the 

 earth. 



