of Preparation. 31 



retain a sufficient quantity of moisture. I have found 

 the use of a good horse roller to be of great advan- 

 tage, both in breaking up and pulverizing lumpy land, 

 and in firming down soil that has been thrown up ver\- 

 lightly during previous preparation. Such soil until 

 again compacted, is prone to become excessively dry : 

 a result which is obviated by use of the roller. The 

 top should be perfectly dry before rolling, in order to 

 obtain the desired effect. 



We have already alluded to subsoiling, and wish to 

 remark here that the subsoil plough is a valuable, 

 indeed, an indispensably necessary implement, and 

 should be invariably put to use in the preparation of 

 the ground for all root crops. The subsoil should fol- 

 low after the land-side plough, in the same furrow, and 

 go down to a depth of fifteen or eighteen inches. It 

 usually takes two horses, as the larger sizes of ploughs 

 do ; and it is even harder for the team than common 

 ploughing. There are small subsoilers which can be 

 used vrith one horse ; but if the land requires subsoiling 

 at all, it is better economy to use the larger size and do 

 the work more thoroughly. 



In the concluding chapter, relating to Farm Imple- 

 ments, a sufficient description will be given of the dif- 

 ferent ploughs that are likely to be required, both land- 

 side and subsoil. At this point I wish to call attention 

 to the great importance of keeping them always clean 

 and bright. Never allow the ploughman to put his 

 plough away with any dirt upon it. It is the sure mark 

 of a poor ploughman, when his plough is covered with 

 dirt, and goes through the land like a stick. 



