Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/203

177&#93; SWA Weights, or the smaller stones, to the two additional bulls. Vith a view to procure the Sward-cutter at the lowest price, Mr. Sandilands proposes to save the expence of the two wheels and iron axle, by fastening to the frame at S, (Fig- 3), a piece of wood having a small curve at the end, and somewhat resembling the foot of the sledge formerly used in Scotland, for the purpose of carrying corn from the field ; that part of such piece, which rests oil the ground, being retained at the distance of 18 inches from the frame, by means of a strong wooden prop. Lastly, as the outer or side- bulls are apt to slide beneath the frame 5 and, as it would thus be difficult to raise the cutting-wlieels when in the ground, he recom- mends a thin slip of iron to be fixed in the inside of the frame, nearly opposite to the hinder ex- tremity of the bulls, and of a suffi- cient length ; by which expedient such inconvenience will be com- pletely obviated. In employing this Sward-cutter, one man only is required to ma- nage the machine, and to drive the horse, or horses ; accordingly as one or two of those animals become necessary. He commences his labour, first by measuring out the space of 20 or 30 paces from the implement, at the end of which he fixes a pole. The field is next cut across, as nearly at right angles with the ridges as possible ; and, when the cutting-wheels have passed the last furrow of such space, about a yard, the labourer must stop the horses, and take hold of the lever i, (Fig. 2, and 3) : this he pulls to- wards him ; raising the cutting- wheels out of the ground, which are then kept elevated by throw- NO. XIV.— VOL. IV. SWA [177 ing the loop of the rope over the pin R, (that is inserted in the le- ter I, Fig, 2, and 3), till the imple- ment be turned, and brought to iM proper place ; which is efiefted by measuring out a similar dis- tance on the opposite side of the field. When the cutting- wheels are diredly over the last furrow, the horses should be stopped; the loop slipped off the pin R ; and the lever be restored to its former station, as represented Fig. 2 ; in consequence of which the weights, L, L, &c. are again enabled to foi-ce the cutting- wheels into the ground. In this manner the work- nKin proceeds to c^uiduft the ma- chine, till the field is regularly cutj after which the soil may be plough- ed and harrowed in the usual man- ner. The original design of the Sward- cutter, was that of preparing old grass land lor the plough, by cut-r ting it across the ridges, either at the commencement, or in the course of the winter 3 to which purpose it is eminently adapted. While other ploughs are liable to be in- jured, or i3t least thrown out of work, by stones or any other ob- stru6tion between the coulters, no Such accident can happen to Mr. Sandilands' machine ; though consisting of four, six. Or eight cut- titig-v/heels ; because these at"e in- dependent of each other, and di- vide the ground across the ridgesi previously to ploughing ; thus ren- dering that operation much easier to two horses, than it would other* wise be to three.-^The furrow be* ing cut transversely, " falls finely from the plough," in squares of any size that may be deemed proper j whereas, if a scarificator, a four- coultered, or other plough, were employed, long slips oftough sward K would