Note 259 — CHAP. XIX. The Description of a Four-coulter’d Plough.

This is the greatest Misfortune incident to a common Two-wheeled Plough, and happens generally by the Fault of the Maker, though sometimes by the Plowman’s setting it so, that the Point of the Share turns too much to the Left. I have seen Land plowed in this manner, where not half of it has been moved, nor better tilled than by Raftering, not only cut diagonally, but also half the Surface hath remained whole, where when the Earth that was thrown on it was removed, the Weeds appeared unhurt on the unplowed Surface. In this Case, they for a Remedy let the Plough to go deeper; and then, if it go deep enough for the Fin to cut off the Furrow at a just Depth, the Point will go below the Staple, which may ruin the Soil, unless it be very deep.

When our English Ploughs go in this manner, they make much worse Work than the Eastern Ploughs, that have no Coulter; for these, contrary to ours, though they always cut their Furrow diagonally, cut it thin on that Side from which it is turned, as our bad Ploughs leave it thin on that Side towards which it is turned. The Earth the Easterns leave by their Diagonal in one Furrow, is taken off by the next; but ours leaving Part of their Furrow behind them, on the Side next to the plowed Part of the Field, come at it no more; but the other can plow cleaner, their Diagonal being contrary to ours, which leaves the Trench deepest on the Side next to the unplowed Part of the Field; but unless the Fin of the Four-coultered Plough go parallel to the Surface of the Earth, it will not plough at all; or will leave Two or Three of its Four Furrows untouched.