330 [Assembly 



in the head, beam and handles of wood, it has many advocates 

 among farmers of great skill and experience. This too, or the 

 model of it, we believe, to be the plough generally used in our own 

 country. Still Small's plough as improved in all its parts, by the 

 diligence and mechanical genius of its inventor, has a decided pre- 

 ference. He continued manufacturing and perfecting them with un- 

 wearied perseverance till his death, which was about the year 1797. 

 Some are of opinion that the chain, which was attached to the im- 

 proved Scotch plough, as Small'b is called generally, is far from be- 

 ing a valuable addition. For the reason, that in case of any great 

 or abrupt resistance, the shock is too violent, the chain yields not, 

 like the beam with an elastic spring, and unless very strong some- 

 times parts: and accordingly it is now generally omitted in the con- 

 struction. This part although of such importance as to give the 

 implement its name, may be thrown aside without abating from its 

 other good qualities. Its superiority is founded on the feathered 

 shape of the sock or share, the ingenious curvature of the mould 

 board, on the diminished size of the sole and land-side, and on the 

 form and skilful adjustment of all the parts to the whole, and especi- 

 ally the muzzle or forward end of the beam by which the line of 

 draught is regulated. To all of which it seems to be generally ad» 

 mitted, Mr. Small can justly lay the claim of invention. 



In Mr. Small's time) and since, many additions and some improve- 

 ments have been made by different individuals; the outlines though 

 of Small's model, were preserved. Such as the Argyleshire plough^ 

 the wheel plough, the skim weeding plough, and the double mould- 

 board plough. Some of these and especially the wheel plough are 

 now little used, the two latter with many improvements since 

 their introduction are much used, indeed for the drill husbandry and 

 for all green crops now forming so great a portion of agricultural 

 industry in Europe, and especially Great Britain, they are indispen- 

 sable. They are a species of horse. hoe-machine, light and easily 

 moved by one horse, if the ground is in the order it ought to be, 

 and serves the purpose of the hand-hoe and spade in the garden. 



The one extirpates the weeds, the other moving in the middle of 

 the rows, with its moul 1-boards buries all weeds on each side, sup- 

 plies fresh eaith to the roots of the cultivated plants, and lays it up 

 light and loosely that they can extend themselves freely in all direc- 

 tions. The same operation being performed a second, third and 

 even a fourth time, it accumulates the bulk and height of the rows 



