204 IRRIGATION. 



positions, and so held by means of strong braces. It is 

 shod with steel, and is furnished with a tongue for draft. 

 By adjusting the wings the earth may be scraped in 

 different ways, as may be desired ; and ridges may be 

 formed by it, by proper adjustment of the wings and 

 shape of the central plank. Another implement for this 

 purpose is used among the French and Italian irrigators, 

 which is very effective, and is employed as frequently as 



* B 



Fig. "93. FORM OF SCRAPER. 



the plow. It consists of a frame, seen at fig. 92, of 

 timber bolted or mortised together, and braced with two 

 diagonal braces at the front. It is generally square in 

 shape and admits of being made of any suitable size. 

 Two cross-pieces, A, and B, are provided with metal 

 shoes, similar in shape to plane-irons, which project 



beneath the surface, as shown 

 at figs. 93, and 94. As the 

 machine is drawn across the 

 field the scrapers take off every 

 protuberance, and deposit the 

 loosened soil in the hollows, 

 and in time, by passing across 

 the field in different direc- 

 tions, a perfect level is gained. 

 To enable this machine to be 

 Fig. 94. ENLARGED VIEW. transported from place to 

 place more readily, the upper side of the side-pieces may 

 be provided with shoes made of light bar-iron, affixed in 

 the manner shown at fig. 95. When it is to be moved from 

 the field it is simply turned over, and glides over the soil 

 upon these shoes. As the implement will be in constant 

 use it should be stoutly made and carefully preserved. 

 When a smooth, level surface has been obtained, the seed 



