English Farming. 355 



ing the furrow as flat as possible. This would keep the 

 soil in a more moist condition ; consequently, the crop 

 would not be so subject to suffer in the heat of the season. 



At the time of my visit they were experimenting with 

 the steam plow, which, I understand, was a success. There 

 are several different kinds, but I believe the favorite plow 

 to be oiie that had a small steam engine at either end of the 

 field, the gang of plows being attached to an endless vnre 

 rope. 



Raising Gkain. — The grains and seeds of all descriptions 

 are put into the ground by a drill. One reason for this is 

 that the seed is put in all of one depth ; consequently, the 

 product is more even, every seed having an equal chance with 

 its neighbor. This precaution, combined with the care and 

 judgment they exercise in selecting the seed, secures very 

 even and fine samples. 



Their seed is all put through separators till it is perfectly 

 clean, with all the poor, light and defective kernels taken 

 out, and, after all this pains, in the month of June, when 

 the grain is growing, they spend days and days and some- 

 times a month in picking out by hand every weed that has 

 made its appearance. 



Manures. — Their barnyards are generally about two 

 feet lower in the middle than they are at the outside, which 

 answers the purpose of holding the liquids. But in case 

 of heavy rains, causing the yard to overflow, there is an 

 outlet in one corner, which leads to a tank. When this is 

 full, it is pumped into a hogshead on wheels, which is drawn 

 upon the meadow and is drawn off into a sprinkler something 

 like a street sprinkler. 



