210 CULTIVATION. 



done, and the method of its operation ; but it is worthy 

 of remark, that there are now in use in England 

 about 500 sets of the apparatus, and that the system 

 has been in successful operation there for about a 

 dozen years. A single engine (of 14 horse pow r er) 

 moves to the field on its own wheels, carrying the 

 tackle with it, and plows an acre an hour with ease, 

 or draws a deep cultivator through from three to five 

 acres in an hour. The engine stands on one head- 

 land, and a pulley-wheel on the other, an endless steel 

 wire rope passes around a windlass under the engine, 

 and around the pulley opposite. The gang of plows, 

 or the wide cultivator, is drawn back and forth be- 

 tween the two. 



THE HARROW AND CULTIVATOR. 



The harrow, an implement largely used in all 

 parts of the world, to pulverize the soil, and break 

 clods, has become so firmly rooted in the affections 

 of farmers, that it must be a very long time before 

 they can be convinced that it is not the best imple- 

 ment for the use to which it is devoted. It is true 

 that it pulverizes the soil for a depth of two or three 

 inches, and thus much improves its appearance, bene- 

 fiting it, without doubt, for the earliest stages of the 

 growth of plants. Its action, however, is very defec- 

 tive, because, from the wedge shape of its teeth, it 

 continually acts to pack the soil ; thus although 

 favorable for the germination of the seed it is not 

 calculated to benefit the plant during the later stages 



