f Ji AlrfERlCAN AGRICULTURE. 



afford the extravag ance of buying inferior tools, at however 

 low a price. The best are always the cheapest ; not those 

 of high or extravagant finish, or in any respect unnecessari- 

 ly costly ; but such as are plain and substantial, made on the 

 best principles and of the most durable materials. To no 

 tools do these remarks apply with so much force, as to plow^ 

 The improvements in these have been greater than in any 

 other instruments ; the best saving fully one half the labor 

 formerly bestowed in accomplishing the same work. 



HARROWING. 



The object of the harrow, is three fold ; to pulverize the 

 land, to cover the seed, and to extirpate weeds. -Unless 

 the land be very light and sandy, the operation should never 

 be performed for either object, except when sufficiently dry 

 to allow of its crumbling down into a fine, mellow surface, 

 under the action of the harrow. There are several varieties 

 of harrows in use ; the triangular and the square, both 

 sometimes hinged and sometimes double ; with long teeth 

 and with short ones, some thickly set together, and some 

 wide apart. For pulverizing firmly-sodded or stiff clay 

 lands, a heavy, compact harrow is required, with strong 

 teeth, sufficiently spread ; and for lighter lands, or for cover- 

 ing seed, the more expanded harrow, with numerous small 

 and thickly-set teeth. To pulverize well, the harrfkv should 

 move as quickly as^ possible, so as to strike the lumps forci- 

 bly, and knock them to pieces ; and for this purpose an active 

 team is required. When the land sinks much under the 

 pressure of the horses' feet, light animals, as mules or ponies, 

 are preferable. 



THE ROLLER. 



This is an important implement for many fields. It is al- 

 ways useful for pulverizing the soil, which it does by breaking 

 down such clods and lumps as escape the harrow, and thus 

 renders the field smooth for the scythe or cradle ; and it is 

 equally so on meadows, which have become uneven from 

 the influence of frost, ant-hills, or other causes. It is ser- 

 viceable in covering seed, by pressing the earth firmly 

 around it ; thus securing moisture enough for germination. 



But its greatest benefit is with such sandy soils, as are 

 not sufficiently compact to hold the roots of plants firmly, 

 and retain a suitable moisture. With these it is invaluable ; 

 and the proper use of the roller has, in sorne instances, 



