vbl. sb. [f. FEER v. + -ING1.] The action of the vb. FEER; also attrib.
1799. J. Robertson, Agric. Perth, 248. A furrow is opened, which is turned inward so as completely to cover that space, like what is called the feering of a gathered ridge.
1862. J. Wilson, Farming, vi. 206. This feiring is only required when a process of fallowing … has obliterated the former ridges. Ibid. The ploughman … erects his three or more feiring poles perfectly in line, at a distance from the fence equal to half the width of the ridges or spaces in which it is proposed to plough the field.
b. concr. One of the rectangular spaces of land between the furrows; a land.
1846. J. Baxter, Libr. Pract. Agric. (ed. 4), I. 257. Spaces for ploughing, called feerings, of generally thirty yards in width are marked off.
1851. Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc., XII. I. 125. In Scotland the land is ploughed … in broad feirings of various dimensions.
1879. Miss Jackson, Shropsh. Word-bk., Feerings, spaces of ploughed land from eight to more yards in width.
