278 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



deposits in the depressions, constantly loading and unloading itself as 

 it is drawn along. Being fourteen feet long, the ends rest on the 

 high ground, the dirt is carried along nearly in the center until a de- 

 pression is reached which fills level with the general surface, the 

 balance being carried on to the next depression, and so on, until a 



general flat surface is obtained. But this is not the only reason a 

 leveler should be used. Running the leveler over newly plowed land 

 forms a crust on the surface, thus preventing the sun and wind from 

 penetrating the soil and absorbing the moisture that should be re- 

 tained to germinate the seed. The accompanying cut is self-ex- 

 planatory. 



