DOI article:
Bray, Francesca: The evolution of the mouldboard plough in China
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.49000#0250
236
F. BRAY
Table 1. Comparison between Chinese and European mouldboard ploughs, c. 1600 A.D.
China
Frame: Square or triangular
Stilt always single
Sole narrow
Beam usually curved + swing tree
Share: Always symmetrical
Always single
Mouldboard: Usually cast-iron
Symmetrical and asymmetrical
Convex curve
Placed vertically above share
Often adjustable
Coulter: None
Europe
Square
Stilt single or double
Sole + boards usually wide
Beam straight + wheels or swingle-tree
Generally asymmetrical
Sometimes more than one
Wooden
Asymmetrical
Flat
Placed longitudinally behind share
Sometimes reversible (turnwrest)
Essential
Ploughing depth: Varied by adjustment of sheath
Varied by adjustment of coulter, plough
ear, beam height
Furrow width:
Varied by angle of stilt, mouldboard
Varied by adjustment of coulter, share,
plough foot
Reduction of
friction:
No wheels
Narrow sole
Curved iron mouldboard
Skid or shoe quite common
Stone or wooden heel under sole quite
Wheels
Skid sometimes replaces wheels
Stones sometimes embedded in sole
Team size: Usually 1 buffalo
Sometimes 3 or 4 oxen in N. China
1 man to drive plough
Weight:
Very light, carried by 1 man
Usually 4 oxen or horses
Up to 14 animals for heavy plough
Often 2 or even 3 men, 1 driving, 1
leading animals, 1 pressing down beam
Heavy, often carried on cart or sledge
In conclusion, the Chinese mouldboard
plough had reached a high level of develop-
ment by the early Han dynasty, when it al-
ready possessed a number of features that in-
creased efficiency such as the dished cast-iron
mouldboard and an adjustable sheath for regu-
lating ploughing depth. The curved beam typ-
ical of modern Chinese ploughs developed
between the Han and T’ang dynasties, and by
the mid-T’ang (c.88o A.D.) the square-
framed plough had acquired all the essential
features that still characterise it today. One
significant development since the 9th century
was the appearance of a new type of frame of
F. BRAY
Table 1. Comparison between Chinese and European mouldboard ploughs, c. 1600 A.D.
China
Frame: Square or triangular
Stilt always single
Sole narrow
Beam usually curved + swing tree
Share: Always symmetrical
Always single
Mouldboard: Usually cast-iron
Symmetrical and asymmetrical
Convex curve
Placed vertically above share
Often adjustable
Coulter: None
Europe
Square
Stilt single or double
Sole + boards usually wide
Beam straight + wheels or swingle-tree
Generally asymmetrical
Sometimes more than one
Wooden
Asymmetrical
Flat
Placed longitudinally behind share
Sometimes reversible (turnwrest)
Essential
Ploughing depth: Varied by adjustment of sheath
Varied by adjustment of coulter, plough
ear, beam height
Furrow width:
Varied by angle of stilt, mouldboard
Varied by adjustment of coulter, share,
plough foot
Reduction of
friction:
No wheels
Narrow sole
Curved iron mouldboard
Skid or shoe quite common
Stone or wooden heel under sole quite
Wheels
Skid sometimes replaces wheels
Stones sometimes embedded in sole
Team size: Usually 1 buffalo
Sometimes 3 or 4 oxen in N. China
1 man to drive plough
Weight:
Very light, carried by 1 man
Usually 4 oxen or horses
Up to 14 animals for heavy plough
Often 2 or even 3 men, 1 driving, 1
leading animals, 1 pressing down beam
Heavy, often carried on cart or sledge
In conclusion, the Chinese mouldboard
plough had reached a high level of develop-
ment by the early Han dynasty, when it al-
ready possessed a number of features that in-
creased efficiency such as the dished cast-iron
mouldboard and an adjustable sheath for regu-
lating ploughing depth. The curved beam typ-
ical of modern Chinese ploughs developed
between the Han and T’ang dynasties, and by
the mid-T’ang (c.88o A.D.) the square-
framed plough had acquired all the essential
features that still characterise it today. One
significant development since the 9th century
was the appearance of a new type of frame of