164.

165.

Section of a Ridge with Feeder and two Drains
Catch-work

B

"The PLOUGHMAN o'er the yielding land,
With eye intent, and steady hand,
Defines the intended path; and cheers
And guides his steeds or patient steers,
With voice across the indented plain,
And shaking of the slackened rein."

BISHOP MANT'S British Months.

THERE is not a more important duty belonging to the cultivation of the soil than PLOUGHING; and there is not a more ancient or more interesting implement than the PLOUGH. A very pleasant thing it is in early spring to walk abroad into the fields where the fresh-turned

earth sends forth a grateful smell, and there to watch

proceedings, as

"Unassisted through each toilsome day,

With smiling brow the ploughman cleaves his way,
Draws his fresh parallels, and, widening still,
Treads slow the heavy dale, or climbs the hill."

A quiet and easy life does the ploughman seem to lead; his very whistle betokens a calm and contented mind. Regular and slow are his steps; upright is his posture; ruddy are his cheeks; but if you look at him closely, you will observe that his eye is for the most part fixed in one direction. He does not look off from his work; still less does he look back; but he keeps a steady gaze in a direct line before him. Is there, then, any difficulty in the ploughman's work requiring this attention? Is there any art in thus guiding the plough backwards and forwards over the same piece of land for hours? There is. The art of holding the plough, and directing the horses, simple as it may seem, is only to be acquired by long experience; but when a man has once attained it, he becomes a valuable servant; and, supposing his character to be otherwise satisfactory, he is sure to rise in the respect and esteem of his master. Much patient and diligent toil must be gone through before a man can become a good hand at the plough : the same may be also said of sowing the seed, which is often the ploughman's work; but a willing mind, constant practice, and a patient attention to orders, will overcome great difficulties. Moreover the ploughman is encouraged to ask the blessing of God upon his labours; for it is written, "Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? Doth he open and break the clods of his ground? When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat, and the appointed barley, and the rie in their place? For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him." (Isaiah xxviii. 24, 25, 26.)