1 INTRODUCTION

Though many of the ancient nations underſtood agriculture very well, and had invented ploughs of different forms, all of them ſcem to be inferior to ſome of thoſe lately introduced among Us. Although the ancients had made great Progreſs in the arts of life, their know- ledge of mechanics was more imper- fe, and leſs diffuſed, than among us, and therefore their Improvements will not bear a compariſon with thoſe which have taken place within theſe two laſt centuries.

ït is ſomewhat ſtrange, that, amidſt all the improvements which have been made during this period, the plough ſhould have remained almoſt în the ſame ſtate, till within theſe laſt fifty years, The truth is, that it has been

neglected

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