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HANDY-BOOK OF HUSBANDRY, 



is desired. This roller (Fig. 92) has the great advantage of turn- 

 ing around without disturbing the surface of the soil, as it would 

 if all in one piece. 



Fig. 92.— Field Roller. 



A cheaper roller, and one answering a tolerably good purpose, 

 is made by setting a smoothly shaven log so as to revolve in a 

 frame similar to the one shown in the cut. 



The roller has several important uses. By passing over the 

 land after plowing, it settles the furrows so that they will not be 

 turned over by the harrow, and it gives the best possible crushing 

 to the top of the slice, grinding it to dust. After the harrow has cut 

 the ground (which the plow has inverted in a lumpy condition) into 

 smaller lumps, the roller passes over it again and crushes these 

 still smaller. The more frequently the two operations succeed 

 each other, the finer the soil will become, especially at the top, 

 while each rolling presses down to the general level of the surface 

 such stones as the harrow may have thrown up. 



Used in the spring, on winter grain, or on mowing land or 

 pastures, the roller corrects the " heaving " effect of the winter's 

 frosts, settles the plants back into their places, and compresses 

 fine soil closely around their roots. It, at the same time, presses 

 loose stones into the ground, and prepares a smooth surface for 

 the mowing machine, or reaper. 



Of course this implement, like all others which are intended 

 to make the soil smoother or finer, should be carefully kept off 

 from the land when it is so wet that, instead of crumbling under 

 the treatment, it becomes only more closely compacted. There 



