SIMPLE OPERATIONS OF TILLAGE. (37 



in a proper manner. But when the land is already pulverized, 

 a small degree of labour is required. Sometimes a single turn 

 will suffice. This is especially the case when the smaller seeds 

 of grains and grasses are sown. 



The operation of harrowing is best performed when the land 

 is moderately dry, and in the mornings while the dew is on. 

 When the land is wet, harrowing is as much as possible to be 

 avoided, as well on account of the less efficacy of the opera- 

 tion, as the injury done the ground by the treading of the 

 cattle. 



Harrowing of meadow-lands when they become bound, or 

 cold and mossy, is of essential service, and will render them 

 much more productive the following year. The most suitable 

 period is the spring, while the ground is soft. But if the mea- 

 dow be too wet for spring harrowing, it may be deferred to the 

 drier part of fall. In such cases, a suitable top-dressing before 

 the performance of the operation, would be found highly advan- 

 tageous. 



HI. ROLLING. 



THE Roller is employed upon the farm to smooth and con- 

 solidate the surface of land in crop or grass, and for passing 

 over grounds newly sown with grain, or that are to be laid 

 down to grass. The great importance of the roller has not, 

 heretofore, been properly appreciated by our farmers but, we 

 are happy to say, it is now coming into very general use. 



All grass lands where the frost has, during the preceding 

 winter, raised part of the roots out of the ground, require the 

 roller to be passed over them in the spring, and many persons, 

 whose testimony is entitled to great respect, recommend its 

 use upon all lands in the spring, where grain had been pre- 

 viously sown, or corn planted, for the purpose of breaking the 

 clods, preventing injury from extreme dry weather, and caus- 

 ing the grain to be collected in harvest with less difficulty.* 



It is of great service in mowing grounds, by pressing the 

 small stones into the ground, which would otherwise interfere 

 with the scythe in mowing, as well as by levelling the weeds. 

 Grain, which has been frozen out during the winter, may be 

 essentially benefitted by passing the roller over it, and thereby 

 bringing the fibres of the roots in contact with the earth again. 



The roller may also be used to great advantage on any sod 



* Farmers' Cabinet, vol. i. page 292. 



