This section is from "The Domestic Encyclopaedia Vol2", by A. F. M. Willich. Amazon: The Domestic Encyclopaedia.
Furrow, in agriculture, a term not properly defined, as it has three or four distinct significations, namely, 1. The soil turned up by the plough ; 2. The trench left by this operation; 3. The interval between two ridges; and, 4. The cross drain which receives the rain-water collected by these intervals. - Dr Johnson adds a fifth, but he obviously mistakes furrow for drill.
According to Mr. Marshall, there are three ideas which lay claim to the word furrow : 1. The trench made by the plough, which may be called a plough-furrow; 2. The colateral drains, or an inter-furrow; and 3. The transverse drains, or the cross-furrou\
The proper formation and disposition of furrows, is an object of the first importance in tillage, to effect the complete draining of water. Hence, in plain fields, the rain-furrows ought to be drawn according to the declivity of the land ; but, in rising grounds it will be most proper to direct them to that side which slightly deviates from the horizontal line.
It also deserves to be remarked, that in all situations where it is practicable, especially at the decli-vities of fields, reservoirs or pits should be dug, or formed, in order to collect the drained water, together with the finest particles of earth, mire, and other ingredients of manure: after the water has subsided, these valuable materials might be easily obtained in a solid form, and thus again employed on the same field, without incurring the additional expence of carriage. We trust, judicious farmers will avail themselves of this hint, and not disregard it with the stale plea of innovation.
 
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