AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

Bush Advocate, Issue 351, 9 August 1890, Page 7

AGRICULTURAL NEWS.

PLOUGHING . HEADLANDS, By Ex-Fabmeb. When following the plough, in my youngr days, I had a great ,dislike against the ploughing of the headlands. The horses appeared to be more contrary then than on any other occasion. In travelling, the- speed seemed to increase considerably. This wa^the more annoying, if, in any way, the ground contained stones or uncut roots. In trying to turn short at tie corners the animals would seem to have a great knack of getting their legs over the traces. Had I patience? Not at that period of my life. As my anger incieased, so did the apparent awkwardness of the animals. Like many another youth I erred, and had to- pay the penalty, although, maybe, unconscious of the fact. The exercise of patience would have lessened my difficulties. Besides, the headlands of those days differed from those of the present. At that time we had two, but now we have only one, somewhat circular in shape. It is neither gathered nor split, and ploughed with half the trouble. In order to make myself understood, I will give an illustration. Suppose the paddock is nearly square, and that I allow a headland of 20ft. wide at each end. I start ploughing 20ft. from the left side fence, and continue on until lam within 20ft. of the right side. On the four sides of the paddock, there remains a etrip unploughed 20ft. wide. To plough this, Btart at one corner, and continue travelling round the paddock until the finish. At each corner there is half a turn, it is true, but it is not so troublesome to do this as when the position of ihfr horses has to be completely reversed. The trouble with thejaraces is avoided. To a headland of this character there is no crown, noelevation at the centre. The finish consists of one open fuiyow only, and it may be a shallow one. In the following year the sod may be thrown in an opposite direction, and the concluding furrow will "be alongside the fence. To experienced ploughmen this method of dealing with the headland may not be altogether new, but still it is not so generally known as many a one would expect. Although I selected a square paddock as an illustration, the principle, is applicable to paddocks of almost any shape. After the headlands have been ploughed, ana the whole paddock harrowed, there stulremainafour little square plots untouched. They maybe found in the four corners of the paddock. What is to be done with these plots ? Are they going to remain idle ? At Tower Hill I have seen them dug up with the spade, and sown with the same seed as the other portion of the paddock. To what better use could they be applied? A son of Erin might reply, "To the planting of cabbage."