The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-07-04
ptstrllanp.
PLOUGHs.

Aytbar Toaug having made great number of
experiments with various kinds of PIonehs-
having weighed each plough, examined its con-
ftruefion, and found exactly the relative force
that was neceifary TO draw it through the
ground he deduced from thofe experiments
ieveral practical principles which may be very
ufeful in the conjunction of Plouehs, and alto
to Inftrutt farmers whether their Ploughs are
well or i'll contributed. 1t is well known not on.
y that fome PIoughs turn over the ground much
better than Others but alto that when two
PIouehs are of the fame weight, it often requires
much more force or ftreng,h of team TO draw
one than the other. And il is never-fai,iny
rule, that Plough which makes the bea work,
(other circumstances being equal,)is the eafieR
drawn through the grcund.--" Contrary to
common ideas, the light weight of the Plough
IS OF little contequence, and heavinefs is even
an advantage oftener than otherwife. The
drawing the weight Of a Plough is the leaf part
of the teams labonr: the great Object is, the
reiiitance met with in the cohefion OF the earth :
ghtneis does nothing to overcome this it is
effected by juG proportions only. IF Plough
is not made on true principles, the lightue,s is
prejudicial by adding to the unltesdine!s of all
illmade Ploughs. light Plough that requires
conttant exertion to keep it in the ground, be-
tides firing the holder, is harder drawn than
much heavier one, that of ifelf, and almcft
without any labour to the man who follows it,
keeps in the ground Readily, inclining to run
neither too deep nor too fioaI. When a Plough
plunges or inCiines to run too deep, the team
has not only to draw a comfortable part of the
holders weight, but ALTO to overcome great
additional reiiitance which the earth makes to
the pa1age of fuch an ill-confiucted machine.
The ihare ihould be nearly, if not quite as
broad in the fin, as the Plough is wide in the
heel, in order that all the throws may be cnt,
and not torn up by force. Both thefe objects
are OF great confequencc."
Young mentions Plough, protested by Mr.
Ar6uthnot, as being the beit he bad tried and
that (" it owed its fuperiorty TO the fhare riiing
az an inclined plane and melting gradually into
the fweep of its long mould board" Mr..
Young projected Plough that combined the
distinguishing cellencies of Arbuthnot's with
tbofe of an iron Plough, contributed by Mr..
Brand, who, for its hyperion contribution, OBJ
tanned bounty of twenty pounds, fteriing,
from the agricultural fociety. Concerning this
Plough of Young's, which united the excellen-
cies of the two Ploughs aforementioned, he
fays--" This Plough, though fwing one, will
go perch, and fometines more, withou, the
driver holding it at all, and whole furrc.p with
no more of the Ploughman's ftrength applied
than one finger would give. This is, perhaps,
of all others, the furef proof that the Plough
moves with the greatef pof7ible cafe.
Plough Is mott necefary intrument of
hubaDdry; and mechanical 0kili can hardly be
better employed, thanin making improvements
in this uieful machine, 70 as to bring il as near
perfection as poflible.