single-furrow plough

Until 1867, only single-furrow ploughs were used, and it took a day to plough one acre, at a time when a large holding could consist of several thousand acres.

In the case of a single-furrow plough there is only one wheel at the front and handles at the rear for the ploughman to steer and manoeuvre it.

A single draught horse can normally pull a single-furrow plough in clean light soil, but in heavier soils two horses are needed, one walking on the land and one in the furrow.