THE NEW THREE-FURROW PLOUGH.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2092, 6 November 1880, Page 2

THE NEW THREE-FURROW PLOUGH.

There has been a gathering of agriculturists at Guildford, near London, to witness the trial ef the new three-furrow plough, introduced by the eminent firm of Messrs Howard, of Bedford. A field of clover ley, of a light soil, was set apart for the purpose, and four horses, two abreast, were first attached to the plough, whioh, although provided with a handle, does not require holding, an advantage of itself. The implement did admirable work without a check, the beautifully straight furrows made by it measuring 9 inches in width, and 5 inches in depth. The plough was afterwards tried with three horses only—all abreast —and the ease with which they drew the implements was very apparent, while the work accomplished was generally regarded as even more satisfactory than that executed with the four horses. The capabilities of the plough are such that three or four acres a day can be ploughed upon an average, with this labor-saving implement. In the same field, and at the same time, two other Howard ploughs, a single furrow and a double furrow, were set to work, thus illustrating the past, present, and future ploughing of the country. The amount of draught power required is obviously an important point to be considered in ploughing, and in this the new implement was found to compare most favorably with the other ploughs engaged. Upon each being tested by a dynamometer, tho draught power waß ascertained to be as follows : —The single-furrow plough 3£ cwt.; tho double-furrow s£owt. ; and the three-furrow plough 7i cwt. Some great advantages in the use of these ploughs in South Africa are that they enable the farmer to work with a lees number of horses, oxen, or men. The work is also done in leas time than by the old system, and the risks of horse and lung sickness are avoided.