Ch. X.] 



ON WHEAT. 



143 



the other side. The large wheel, or roller, which is made by screwing 

 planks or wedges between the ironed bonds, works in the furrow, and both 

 prevents the machine from going out of the proper line of draught, as well 

 as forms a proper space for the next furrow-slice, as it can be easily ad- 

 justed to any breadth of furrow, by shifting the wedges on the large roller. 

 The cost is from bl. to 6/., according to the weight of the rollers *. 



An improvement has since been made on this machine, by screwino- two 

 forked cleavers to the back part of the frame, immediately behind the 

 pressers, to scrape off any earth that may adhere to them during their 

 action ; and the draught is regulated by a chain passed through pulleys 

 placed between the shafts, behind the horse, and fastened to the draught- 

 hooks of his collar f. 



The utility of this instrument is very conspicuous wherever it becomes 

 essential to the important object in good farming of making light land 

 heavy; for additional weight can, if necessary, be laid upon the frame, so 

 as to suit the state of the tilth ; and it has been invariably found that the 

 soil, when thus compressed, has lost its turfy appearance, has been rendered 

 firm under foot, and the plants of wheat have grown more strong and 

 healthy than where it is has not been used. The seed may be sown broad- 

 cast, or by affixing a sowing-box to the implement. The whole process of 

 pressing and sowing can indeed be effected at the same time, as nothing 

 further tliau a double turn of the harrows is requisite to complete the ope- 

 ration, and the seed comes up so evenly, that a considerable saving mav 

 be made in the quantity. Drilling and pressing have thus been long 

 practised in Berkshire, where a machine of the following description was 

 many years ago invented by Mr. Berriman of Speen J. 



It consists of very heavy cast-iron wheels, with angular edges, set on at 

 fixed distances, as represented in the bird's eye view at fig. 1 ; though by 

 extending the axle the wheels and scrapers could easily be set at different 



Transactions of the Bath and West of England Society, Vol. xv. Art. iv. 

 f Quart. Jour, of Agric. N. S. vol. iv. p. 546. 

 I Survey of Berkshire, p. 12-3. 



