418 
Sutherland Reclamation. 
thus lifting the plough clearly over the obstruction. The cutting 
disc has proved to be better adapted for cutting through the 
tough mat of grass and heath-roots often found on the surface 
than any fixed coulter of the ordinary form. 
The next improvement was suggested by the Duke. It consists 
of a huge iron hook, like the fluke of an anchor, trailing behind 
the plough, and pivoted on to the back of the iron frame-work of 
the implement. This contrivance, commonly called " the Duke's 
toothpick," acts as a subsoiler, stirring the soil to a depth, varying 
with its hardness, of from 8 to 18 inches. Every obstruction that 
the revolving coulter has been unable to cut through or to force 
aside is next attacked at a lower depth by the toothpick. In 
most cases the root or stone is at once turned over and brought to 
the surface ; but as this cannot always be done, the hook is made 
of sufficient strength to withstand the full power of the engine. 
There is a dead pull for a minute, then the engines are reversed, 
the implement is backed, and a second attack is made. If this also 
fails, the toothpick is lifted over the obstacle, and a stake is 
driven in, to mark the spot till the offender can be blown up 
by dynamite. At first the stirrer was made to terminate in a 
steel point ; in 1877 a small short turn-furrow was attached ; and 
this was replaced in 1878 by a turn-furrow of an ordinary shape 
but of extraordinary size. 
Fig. 2. — Elevation of Sutherland Plough. 
Figure 2 is from a photograph showing the whole of the im- 
plement, standing upon a hard surface, but with its parts ar- 
ranged for travelling towards the left. 
Figure 3 gives a plan upon a larger scale, leaving out the 
stirrers or subsoilers. 
A A is an iron frame, about 10 feet long and 18 inches wide, 
carried upon six rollers. The ploughman sits upon the seat 
B, facing his work, and steers by means of the handle at C. The 
head of the plough, D, is hung from the centre of the frame and 
is double-ended, having a Lateral cutting-share of a triangular 
form, so as to cut cither way. To the centre of this head the 
mould-board E is hinged ; it is self-acting and turns either way 
to suit the direction of the plough. Of the six rollers, two (F F, 
