i ¥ Implements of Hufoandry.—Shkim-Coulter-Ploughs. 11

rows required to be laid flat, was, it is faid, lefs than could have been fuppofed; probably in both furrows not more than from twelve to fix pounds*.

It is remarked by the fame author, in another work, that in order to qualify ploughs of this kind for broad work of every defcription, breaking up of leys not excepted, thefe plates are abfolutely requifite; and that in fingle ploughs they are almoft equally fo. he principle of this moveable plate, fays he, though it may not at firft catch the attention of every one, has found ftout advocates in ploughmen, as it faves their right arm much trouble in wedging and hammer- ing mould-plates, and their right leg much exertion in attempting to tread flat the furrow which the plough had left on an edget.

But, notwithftanding thefe ingenious and interefting obfervations, from the na- ture and conftruction of fuch ploughs, they muft obvioufly be much more limited in their application than fuch as are fingle; and under fome circumf{tances, as where the land is full of{tones and uneven, perhaps wholly inapplicable.

Where, however, the circumftances of the land are fuch that they can be intro- duced with any probability of advantage, they ought not to be overlooked, as be- ing conducive, by their great difpatch of work, to economy in farming labour, which is certainly an object of much importance.

Skim-Coulter-Ploughs are a fort of ploughs that may often be employed with advantage on extenfive farms, where there are fuch kinds of lands ds require them, Of thefe ploughs there are many different ones adapted to particular ufes and fitua- tions; fuch as the Trench-Plough, which is fo contrived as to turn up the ground to a great depth, in foils of different kinds, where there is fufficient{taple. It is an exceedingly ufeful implement in various cafes, as, by means of it, land may be opened to any depth in feparate horizontal flices, the weeds being thus cut off in the firft operation, while the next raifes a flice or portion of frefh mould from below the foil which afforded the former crop, and depofits it upon the rubbifh before turned down, by which means more abundant nourifhment. is prepared for the crop that is to follow. For thefe purpofes, however, in all foils, a{trong team muft be had; but only one fuch tillage is required for moft crops. From the flices of earth raifed by this plough, being placed one over another, the ground generally harrows well, and the growth of weeds is in a great meafure prevented. It is confequently evident, that, confidering the num- Der of ploughings generally given in the ordinary way of preparing lands for

* Communications to the Board of Agriculture, vol. ii.

# Somerville's Syftem of the Board of Agriculture.

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