16 A N E: S38. A..Y

was the forward inclination of the coulter, The advantages of this pofition above a per- pendicular one are very confiderable. It balances the upward direction of force, which, without this, in fome meafure con- trary direCtion of the coulter, would foon bring the plough out of the ground altoge- ther*. It diminifhes the refiftance in cut- ting the foil by converting it into oblique in- ftead of being dire€t, which it would be by the perpendicular pofition. It laftly facili- tates greatly the cutting or tearing up of roots, by making them flide upon its edge, by which means, they are not only more readily but moreeafily cut or torn afunder, as the plough aéts againft them with a fhorter lever the higher they rife.

The laft circumftance to be taken notice of is the form and ufe of the fhare, com- monly called in Scotland the fock. In ge-

neral, it is almoft an exa& reprefentation of ‘the

* GB, fig. 8. is the inclination of the coulter, CED is the direétion of the force, if there is only one force applied, and the mean direction, if there be two forces applied that act in different direCki- ons, as fhall be afterwards explained.