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ee OL ee

ON THE PLOUGH, 39

pens, that a plough may have a great down-

ward tendency, and alfo a long beam, and

the effect of both counterbalanced, by

placing the cattle very near, which will give

a great upward direCtion to the force. On

the other hand, a plough may have a fmall

inclination and fhort beam, and notwith- ftanding have downward tendency enough, by placing the cattle at a confiderable diftance, which will give a lefs upward di- rection to the force. Since, then, thefe cir- cumftances may be, and always are made to counterbalance one another, it will be afked, perhaps, whether it is of any confequence in what mannerthey do it, and whether there are any principles that determine ex- actly the beft length of the beam, the moft proper inclination of the coulter, andthe moft advantageous pofition of the cattle?

With regard tothe beam, it fhould be made as fhort as poffible; becaufe the fhort- er itis, it will be much lighter in proportion, without being more in hazard of breaking, the only danger to which it is expofed, A beam is plainly a lever, on which confe- quently the longer it is, the force tending to

break,