50 ANCE S*S A

fured in the inclined pofition in which it generally ftands.

The reafon why the fheat is inclined ra- ther than perpendicular, is not fo much, that thereby it fuftains lefs ftrefs, but becaufe it is more able in this pofition to bear it; for,

by being inclined, it ats in fome meafure~

lengthways againft the ftrefs, which it muft do wholly laterally when perpendicular; and it is very obvious, that there is a very great difference in the ftrength in thefe two fituations.

If the foil, however, is not very unculti-

-yated, there will be no need of a great in-

clination, becaufe the ftrefs will not be very confiderable; and, as the earth of fuch a foil will be in fome meafure loofe, the lefs the inclination, there will be lefs{pace be- tween the coulter and the fheat, which will prevent the earth falling to the left fide of the plough; a confequence very ready to follow when the inclination is great. Though it feems proper that the fheat fhould be nearly parallel to the coulter, it fhould be rather nearer it above than below, becaufe the upper part of the foil being higher

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