The plow for moderate soils should be somewhat smaller than the former, but broard at the breach: the coulter should be long and more bending, and the share narrow, with a wing coming up to arm and defend the earth board from wearing.
The plow for light soils, such as sandy and the like, should be lighter and smaller than any of these, the coulter should be more circular and thinner, and the wing not so large. This is a direction contained in a small compass, yet it will give the farmer the general rule for his conduct in this respect: let him consider his soils under these three heads of heavy, moderate, and light, and in this general manner, suit the bulk and fabrick of his plow to them; and he will never make any great errors. Plows are sometimes made with wheels, and sometimes without, but in general the wheels are a very great advantage; there are circumstances in which they are troublesome, and therefore it is fit they should be in some plows ommited”.
The plow for light soils, such as sandy and the like, should be lighter and smaller than any of these, the coulter should be more circular and thinner, and the wing not so large. This is a direction contained in a small compass, yet it will give the farmer the general rule for his conduct in this respect: let him consider his soils under these three heads of heavy, moderate, and light, and in this general manner, suit the bulk and fabrick of his plow to them; and he will never make any great errors. Plows are sometimes made with wheels, and sometimes without, but in general the wheels are a very great advantage; there are circumstances in which they are troublesome, and therefore it is fit they should be in some plows ommited”.
|
Cultivation
Ploughing
Ploughing
The horse hoe at work
The horse hoe
The four coultered plough
The ancient plow, according to the best accounts we have of it, had no coulter, nor earth board, for the share always going obliquely, served as an earth board, and the two ears which were the corners of a peice of wood lying under the share, did the office of ground wrests. This sort of plow is used in Italy, and even in some parts of France at this time”.
During the mid 18th century, cultivation of the soil was a leading importantance towards the change of better farming practices.
The leading agriculturalists of the day were not afraid to experiment with new designs of plough and in "The Compleat Body of Husbandry" 1756, we can see how important plough design was considered.
“All soils are not to wrought in one manner; if they were, the knowledge of husbandry would be easy. But as each kind has its particular and appropriated manures, so each kind requires also its particular and appropriated manner of tillage.
Plowing is the great or capital operation of husbandry; and according to these differences of soils, and the particular treatment they require, there have been invented different sorts of plows, which are severally used according to the nature of the ground in different places.
There is great differences between a tough clay and a light and loose sand; one of these soils requires one and another kind of plow, and of plowing; neither would any use the same instrument to till a deep soil, and where there is of five or six inches depth a bed of stone, there is often a bed of barren earthy matter also at this slight depth, and this is not to be brought up with the soil. All these and a number of other particularities, demand their different manners of plowing; and in order to its being rightly done, the farmer is first to see there be a proper instrument, and next to follow the work with his eye, that the instrument be properly used; that the best part of the soil be not left untouched where it lies deep; nor the barren part raised up where that lies shallow...another species of tillage, which is performed after the plants appear; this is, properly speaking, not plowing, but hoeing; though according to the new method of
The leading agriculturalists of the day were not afraid to experiment with new designs of plough and in "The Compleat Body of Husbandry" 1756, we can see how important plough design was considered.
“All soils are not to wrought in one manner; if they were, the knowledge of husbandry would be easy. But as each kind has its particular and appropriated manures, so each kind requires also its particular and appropriated manner of tillage.
Plowing is the great or capital operation of husbandry; and according to these differences of soils, and the particular treatment they require, there have been invented different sorts of plows, which are severally used according to the nature of the ground in different places.
There is great differences between a tough clay and a light and loose sand; one of these soils requires one and another kind of plow, and of plowing; neither would any use the same instrument to till a deep soil, and where there is of five or six inches depth a bed of stone, there is often a bed of barren earthy matter also at this slight depth, and this is not to be brought up with the soil. All these and a number of other particularities, demand their different manners of plowing; and in order to its being rightly done, the farmer is first to see there be a proper instrument, and next to follow the work with his eye, that the instrument be properly used; that the best part of the soil be not left untouched where it lies deep; nor the barren part raised up where that lies shallow...another species of tillage, which is performed after the plants appear; this is, properly speaking, not plowing, but hoeing; though according to the new method of
The first kind of tillage was probably the spade, and were that as covenient for large quantities of ground, as it is useful where it can be properly employed, no instrument in the world could be compared to it...the advantage of the spade over the plow is, that it goes deeper, and divides the land into more particles, and smaller; but the plow, when its structure shall be fully perfected, is certainly capable of this. The four coultered plow is an excellent contrivence, and shews that there is nothing impraticable in the thought of forming a plow that shall go deeper, and divide the earth as much or more than the spade.
performing it by a kind of plow, and with assistance of horses, it has got the name of plowing. This is the kind of tillage called Horse-hoeing husbandry...but there is a backwardness of bringing it into use, which seems to arise only from its novelty. In other countries where they are more ready than we to try experiments, it is got into use, and we can assure the english farmer with great advantage. We hope therefore to see it soon introduced in the proper soils, and under proper circumstances here.
Ploughs differed in shape and size, the variations arising from soil conditions and the local custom of making them. The Compleat Body of Husbandry, 1756, says of the several kinds of ploughs in common use in England at that time...“The common plow differs very much in shape and form in various places, partly according to the fancy of the peaple, and partly to the nature of the ground. Some have longer and some shorter beams; and there are great varieties in the length and form of the share, the coulter, and the handles...thus in general, the plow that is for stiff clay should be long, and square earth board, so that it may turn up a large furrow. The coulter should be long, and very little bending, with a very large wing; and the foot long and broad, so as to make a deep furrow.
Winged share point
The wheel plough was considered the first great improvement in England, and was known in the eighteenth century as the Hertfordshire plough. It consisted of a beam, handle, a neck, an earth board, share, coulter, sheath, pin, pillow and wheels. The Compleat Body of Husbandry describes it thus;
“ This Hertfordshire plow, or common wheel plow, as it is usually made, is very strong, and is serviceable for most uses; it is very easily managed, it follows the horse lightly, and it suits almost every kind of land. The greatest exception to its use is in miry clay in winter; because the wheels cut into them, and clog and stick when they are work'd at that time of year”.
It was often recommended that this plough was especially useful for summer fallows and turning grass for arable. In the first half of the 19th century debate was still going on concerning the merits between the swing and wheeled ploughs.
“ This Hertfordshire plow, or common wheel plow, as it is usually made, is very strong, and is serviceable for most uses; it is very easily managed, it follows the horse lightly, and it suits almost every kind of land. The greatest exception to its use is in miry clay in winter; because the wheels cut into them, and clog and stick when they are work'd at that time of year”.
It was often recommended that this plough was especially useful for summer fallows and turning grass for arable. In the first half of the 19th century debate was still going on concerning the merits between the swing and wheeled ploughs.
Original plough without wheels
The two wheel'd plough
The one wheel'd plough
The wheel coulter'd plough
(Note the winged share on the original plough without wheels)
|
|
|
|
|
© copyright rescuingthepast.co.uk
|
rescuingthepast.co.uk
Preserving rural bygones
Preserving rural bygones
© COPYRIGHT rescuingthepast.co.uk
|
