V WOODS AND FIELDS 197 



iently witliout stopping to rest. Oxen, as we 

 know, were driven not witli a whip, but with 

 a goad or pole, the most convenient length for 

 which was 16i feet, and the ancient plough- 

 man used his "pole" or "perch" by placing 

 it at right angles to his first furrow, thus 

 measuring the amount he had to plough. 

 Hence our "pole" or "perch" of 16i feet, 

 which at first sight seems a very singular 

 unit to have selected. This width is also con- 

 venient both for turning the plough, and also 

 for sowing. Hence the most convenient unit 

 of land for arable purposes was a furlong in 

 length and a perch or pole in width. 



The team generally consisted of eight oxen. 

 Few peasants, however, possessed a whole 

 team, several generally joining together, and 

 dividing the produce. Hence the number of 

 " rigs," one for each ox. We often, however, 

 find ten instead of eight ; one being for the 

 parson's tithe, the other tenth going to the 

 ploughman. 



When eight oxen were employed the goad 

 would not of course reach the leaders, which 

 were guided by a man who walked on the 



