224 Experimental Inquiry on Draught in Ploughing. 



Trial l.~Noi\ 6tk 



The field is a sandy loam, free in working: when wet^ as it now 

 was ; but, notwithstanding its lightness, a little adhesive of its 

 kind, situated on the stone brash, as it is here called, though pro- 

 perly the coral rag; a clean wheat- stubble. The depth of the 

 furrow was 5 inches by 9 wide ; and these dimensions were care- 

 fully adhered to, as a person followed each plough in succession, 

 measuring with a rule the depth and width of the furrow, and 

 stopping the ploughman whenever there was any defect in these 

 respects. The ploughs were drawn by two horses. The follow- 

 ing numbers were noted down : — 



Furrow 5x9- 



1. Ferguson's improved Scotch swing-plough . 19 stone. 



2. Clark's ditto 20 



3. Hart's improved Berkshire, one wheel . . 14 



4. Ransome's FF, two wheels . . .14 



5. Ransome's FF, swing . . . .18 



6. King's swing . , . . .18 



7. King's one- wheel . . . . .11 



8. Rutland, Ransome's NL, two- wheels . .17 



9. Old Berks 23 



10. Holkham plough, two-wheels , , .18 



Average . . .171- 

 On this trial we may observe, — 



1st. What I found, with some surprise, that the Scotch ploughs were 

 the heaviest in the field for the horses, except the old Berkshire, 

 and more than 35 per cent, worse for them than the two lightest 

 ploughs, which were Nos. 3 and 4. 



2nd, That FF, which, on the same spot of ground, and with, the 

 ground in the same state of moisture, had been 24 stone, or 23 

 stone, allowance being made for the other draught-gauge then 

 used, now that its mould-board was cleaned, drew 18 stone only. 

 This appears to show the importance of preserving the plough- 

 irons from being honeycombed, as we often see them, by rust. 



3rd. Ransome's FF, as a swing-plough, was 4 stone, or 28 per cent., 

 heavier than the same plough with its wheels on — a strong con- 

 firmation of Mr. Handley's opinion upon the subject; and it 

 then equalled in lightness the plough of Hart's, with which it 

 was sent to compete. King's plough worked better, by one stone 

 only, with the wheel than without : but it must be remembered 

 that it is a heavier plough. 



4th. Putting the old Berkshire aside, the four easiest ploughs of the 

 remaining eight were four distinct wheel-ploughs ; and the four 

 severest for the horses were four swing-ploughs. 



