352 WEEDS OF AGRICULTURE. 



5th. New improved drill grubber. This implement is 

 constructed so as to accommodate itself to every breadth of 

 the drill husbandry, as regards green fallow crops, such as 

 turnips, potatoes, beans, peas, &c. : it will work in any soil, 

 however dry and stiff. 



6th. Improved grubber for pulverizing and broad sharing : 

 by means of three coulters, which are readily affixed to the 

 implement, it acts as a broad sharer. 



This last-mentioned implement is one of great merit and 

 utility, it produces a friable surface-soil, for moulding up 

 and for encouraging the growth of the plants, which, on 

 cementing, heavy, obdurate soils, cannot be effected by any 

 other implement yet invented. 



We shall now endeavour to state, in as few words as pos- 

 sible, the mode of using these implements, as practised by 

 Mr. Dickson, to produce the above-mentioned important 

 practical results, and which we had an opportunity of wit- 

 nessing. 



Rally's plough is used in the first operation ; this is fol- 

 lowed by Morton's revolving harrow : the effect of this 

 implement is astonishing in separating and breaking down 

 the tenacious couch -bound soil, and shaking out the 

 roots. As before observed, this implement is so con- 

 structed, as to allow of the horses walking in the furrows, 

 — a point of the greatest importance in working a soil of this 

 nature, whether it happen at the time to be in a dry or in a 

 damp state. The couch being now loosened from the soil, 

 the improved drag-harrows are applied to collect it ; this 

 they appear to do in a more effectual and expeditious manner 

 than any other kind of harrow we have seen. When this 

 operation is finished, a heavy cast-iron roller is used, to level 

 the surface for spreading the manure ; the roller is furnished 

 with a knife, so constructed or applied, as to keep the sur- 

 face of the roller always clean when working. The surface 

 being thus levelled, and the manure spread, the last plough- 

 ing is given ; the potatoes are either planted in the furrow, 

 or afterwards dibbled in, according as circumstances or con- 

 venience may direct. It is hardly possible to witness these 

 operations of good husbandry (required, as they are, impe- 



