PULVERIZING. 181 



is, however, no objection to its use, but almost always an advan- 

 tage in the dryest weather of summer. As the roller is used only 

 during a very small part of the year, it is far more likely to rust 

 out than to wear out. It should, therefore, be carefully housed 

 when not needed in the field, and it will be much easier to work 

 if occasionally greased. 



THE HARROW. 



This ancient, time-honored, and unsatisfactory tool — only a 

 better-than-nothing afFair, at best — must retain its hold on the 

 affections of those who like it, and command the toleration of 

 those who use it without liking it — on the principle that (to re- 

 verse an old saw) handsome does that handsome is. 



A harrow tooth, (especially if made of iron and well sharpened,) 

 if furnished with a suitable handle, would be the best sort of 

 tool with which to pack the earth around newly set fence-posts. 

 It is impossible to drop it into the ground, or to drag it in a ver- 

 tical position over th^ ground, without packing the earth below its 

 point. The earth in a fence-hole that has been packed in with 

 a sharp crowbar may be made solid to within two inches of the 

 surface, too solid for any plant to thrive in, although the immediate 

 surface may be fine and soft as a flower-bed. 



Of course, it would take a good many harrowings to pack the 

 lower soil to any thing like this degree, but every time a sharp- 

 toothed iron harrow is drawn across it, it exercises a tendency in this 

 direction, and although I use it myself, for want of a substitute, and 

 know nothing else that will entirely take its place, I hope that 

 some efficient substitute may yet be found, and I should have 

 much faith in the success of an experiment with teeth shaped like 

 those of the steam grubber, (Fig. 85,) which have square, case- 

 hardened, chisel-like ends. 



The sorts of harrows in use are numerous, and are generally 

 familiar to all. A very good one has a single square frame, with 

 about twenty teeth, (Fig. 93.) This, in a rather heavy soil, is 

 enough for a single light team. For more general use, it would 



