530 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPAEDIA. 



thoroughly and facilitate a more equal distribution of the seed than could 

 otherwise take place ; (C) it is used to press into the ground the roots of 

 those plants sown in the preceding autumn which have been detached by 

 frost. 



A spring rolling on a field of winter grain will often, by firming the soil 

 about its roots, save the crop ; and it is equally beneficial in a similar way 

 on grass lands. On light soils the loosening effects of frequent freezing 

 and thawing are more or less avoided by an autumn rolling. Grass land 

 cannot be too heavily rolled ; and on all light lands under tillage the use 

 of the roller is indispensable for closing the pores and preventing the 

 evaporation of moisture. 



But while rolling is much benefit on light, porous, and lumpy soils, it 

 is injurious on wet clays, except in dry weather, when they are lumpy 

 after ploughing. Rolling a stiff soil when wet renders it more difficult of 

 cultivation, by pressing the particles still more closely together and pre- 

 venting the admission of air. Even light arable lands require the ground 

 to be dry when rolled, if for no other reason than that otherwise the soil 

 will adhere to the roller. Grass land, however, is best rolled in showery 

 weather. 



HOEING. This operation is proceeded with while the crop is growing, 

 and it fulfils two important objects. First, it extirpates weeds and keeps 

 the land clean ; and secondly, it stirs, loosens, and pulverizes the surface 

 soil. The extirpation of weeds is of course indispensable to good cultiva- 

 tion. But the second principle of hoeing is if possible still more impor- 

 tant. Deep and continuous hoeing is wonderfully effective in promoting 

 the growth of plants. It prevents the soil reverting to its natural solidity, 

 admits air and water, and by breaking and subdividing it, causes it to 

 retain moisture and to present innumerable surfaces and fresh particles to 

 the young roots. The effect is visible in the faster growth of the plants 

 every time the earth is stirred about them. 



Hoeing, however, can be practised in the case of crops in drills or in 

 hills. Broadcast work is thus incompatible with thorough cultivation, 

 even in the case of grain crops. If horse-hoeing is intended among the 

 grain crops, the drilling should correspond with the horse-hoe to be used. 

 Drilling is equally indispensable to all hand-hoeing. 



STEAM CULTIVATION. In many cases tillage by the wealthy farmer 

 may, in part at least, be advantageously performed by steam power. It 



(1) gives cheaper, deeper, and more efficient tillage than horse power; it 



(2) enables the work to be done rapidly and at the best season ; it (3) en- 

 ables land to be more quickly and effectually cleaned and kept free from 



