THE CULTIVATION OF FARM CROPS. 529 



winter- weathered tilth is th< lined on the surface, and the moist- 



ure of the soil is less evaporated than when the Ian 1 : ploughed 



a point of the tirst importance in turnip cultivation. It is also much used 

 in preparing light land just cleared of roots for being sown with spring 

 Lfniin and seeds, as it furnishes a tine mould and keeps the manure near 

 surface. Fitted with broad points, and worked at a shallower depth, 

 the cultivator is the most effective implement in usa for stubble clean 

 after harvest. The substitution, when possible, of the cultivator for the 



, r h is attended with a considerable saving both of time and labour. 

 Cultivat i lap ted for either two or four horses, though the 



implement which can be worked with ease by two horses on a light soil 

 or at a shallow depth, will often require three or four horses on stiff land, 

 or where deeper working has to be practised. If the nature of the soil 

 and work admits of it, however, two horses in a light cultivator will do 

 in .re than halt the work of four yoked to a larger implement, as they step 

 and with greater ease to themselves. On light land, a tw >- 

 ^e cultivator should work five acres of fallow to a depth of about six 

 inches, and four acres to a less depth on land where roots have been 



on stiff land, or working to a greater depth, a three or four-horse cul- 

 tivator would do about six aero in a day. 



IN<; (1) pulverizes the soil to a depth of two or three iiu-li">. 



anl re-lures to fineness the surface clods and lumps that are left after 



:_^liing or cultivating; (2) it shakes out and separates the weeds that 



-oil ; (3) it smooths surface inequalities, by which means tin- 



is more evenly deposited and is more likely to have a uniform germ- 



1 (4;, after the seed is sown, the harrow buries it at a mode- 



depth beneath the surface. We might add a fifth use; for it is in 



a irood practice to harrow the winter-sown wheat in spring. 



and break up the weathered pan upon the surface. The usual d: 



of harrowing after - 1 is >own i> tirst along the furrow, then 



finally alon^ a;_,Min. 



clod- or lumps which have resisted the g 

 d'.svn surf ^ < as to be out of 



ythe or reaping mai-hine ; .", it idves a greater derive of 

 >il which is too light and friable, making it tinner around 



the same time a less favourable I,: 



many kind while the smoother surface presents 



bion ; (4) it presses down and makes firm the 



ind about i!' : and ->metimes (5), when -nail 



Is are to be sown, it is well to roll the ground first, so as to levl it 



HII 



