A business to accomplish.

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1835.  I never opposed Andrew Jackson for the sake of popularity. I knew it was a hard row to hoe; but I stood up to the rack, considering it a duty I owed to the country that governed me.—‘Col. Crockett’s Tour,’ p. 69 (Phila.).

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1836.  I have a new row to hoe, a long and a rough one, but come what will I’ll go ahead.—‘Col. Crockett in Texas,’ p. 28.

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1836.  One worthy was discharged from the [theatrical] company and compelled to commence hoeing another row.—Id., p. 95.

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1846.  

        Ef you ’re arter folks o’ gumption,
  You ’ve a darned long row to hoe.
Lowell, ‘Biglow Papers,’ No. 1.    

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