WORKING THE SOIL 



157 



soil grain. In properly prepared soil this film moisture 

 comes in contact with the freshly sown seed. If the tem- 

 perature is right the seed swells and germination 

 starts. The swelling of the seed brings it in contact 



Figure 141. Iron Land Roller Made of Boiler Plate. 



Figure 142. Wooden Land Roller. 



with more film moisture attached to other grains of soil 

 so the rootlet grows and pushes out into the soil in 

 search of moisture on its own account. A roller is val- 

 uable to press the particles of soil together to bring the 

 freshly sown seeds in direct contact with as many par- 

 ticles of soil as possible. Rolling land is a peculiar 

 operation, the value of which is not always understood. 



