360 



they germinate at all there is not substance enough in them to 

 push a stem to the surface of the soil, and of course they die. Oft- 

 repeated experiments and extensive observation prove very conclu 

 sively that if our cereals are covered about two inches deep every 

 good seed will germinate readily, and be as productive, and per 

 haps more so, than if covered at any other depth. As they are 

 covered deeper than two inches, they are longer in coming to the 

 surface of the ground. Grass seed vegetates better, and more of 

 the seeds grow, if they are sowed after the last harrowing, or after 

 the roller. When it is harrowed or rolled in, a good portion of 

 it is covered so deep that it is forever lost. A good shower will 

 cover grass-seed as deep as it ever needs to be covered. 



" Soon as the soil receives the fruitful seed, 

 Make no delay, but cover it with speed." VIRGIL. 



ROLLING THE SOIL. 



515. There are several objects in rolling the soil after it has 

 been harrowed. One is, the pulverization of the lumps. The 

 roots of grain seldom or never enter hard lumps of earth. An 

 other is, to cover the grain that the harrow has failed to cover. 

 This it does by mashing the lumps. Another object is, to form 

 a smooth surface to work on, with mowers or reapers, cradles, 

 scythes, or rakes, when cutting and securing a crop. Another 

 is, to leave the surface of the soil as smooth as practicable, so 

 that the next plowing may be neatly performed. Never roll up 

 and down a slope, if a field can be rolled by going along the 

 slope, because a heavy roller draws hard up a slope. I would as 

 soon dispense with my harrow as with my land roller. I always 

 entertained a poor opinion of small rollers, because they draw 

 heavily, and are not as effective as a larger one in levelling the 

 surface of the soil. Rollers usually cost too much. A common 

 farmer in moderate circumstances, does not feel willing to expend 

 thirty or forty dollars for a roller. Therefore, I will give direc 

 tions to the young farmer, who is unwilling to pay four times as 

 much as a good roller will cost, 



