. British husbandry; exhibiting the farming practice in various parts of the United Kingdom. Agriculture; cbk. Ch. IV.] PLOUGHING. 41 to'either side. The edge of the coulter should also be set directly for- ward, so that the land side of it may run on a parallel line with the land side of the head, and in such a position as that their slant, or sweep, may exactly correspond. 5th. The ploughman should walk with his body as nearly as possible upright, without leaning on the stilts, and without using force to any part, further than may be absolutely necessary to keep the implement steadily in a d
. British husbandry; exhibiting the farming practice in various parts of the United Kingdom. Agriculture; cbk. Ch. IV.] PLOUGHING. 41 to'either side. The edge of the coulter should also be set directly for- ward, so that the land side of it may run on a parallel line with the land side of the head, and in such a position as that their slant, or sweep, may exactly correspond. 5th. The ploughman should walk with his body as nearly as possible upright, without leaning on the stilts, and without using force to any part, further than may be absolutely necessary to keep the implement steadily in a direct line. He should also be sparing of his voice, and of correction to the team : of the former, because too much cheering and ordering only confuses the cattle ; and of the latter, because punish- ment, when often repeated, at length ceases to have due effect, and thus leads to unnecessary beating. There is, in fact, a certain des;ree of taste in ploifghi7ig, as well as in every thing else,—a kind of tact, which is difficult to be taught, and hardly to be acquired except by a sort of instinct. IMany a capital rough-rider is still but an indifferent horseman, because he has a heavy band on his horse's mouth ; and many a good seaman is still but an indifferent steersman, because he feels the helm imperfectly. You see the one pulling at a horse's head, strain- ing him out of his paces, fretting and teasing him ; yet with another, who knows how to play with his mouth, he will ride light in hand and pleasantly. So the seaman who can humour the helm makes good and easy steerage ; while another toils and sweats, throws the vessel up in the wind, and makes her roll. So likewise the ploughman who tills the ground with dexterity, never presses upon the plough without necessity—a mere touch, or a glance of the eye, tells him when she is going wrong, and a slight turn of the hand sets her instantly right ; whereas a clumsy fellow, without feeling in his palms or readiness of percept
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, booksubj, booksubjectagriculture
