114 Implements of Husbandry. 



5. The Eradicator. This is a most effective instrument 

 for cleaning turnip fallows, and is in general use, upon the 

 best cultivated light land farms in West Norfolk. The 

 share of this implement, goes to the full depth of loosening 

 the cultivated soil, without exposing a fresh surface to be 

 acted upon injuriously, by a hot sun, or partial drought. 



6. The Scarifier, or Grubber. This is an improvement 

 on the scuffler, by having the iron bars bent forward for 

 the purpose of penetrating the soil, and combing up, or 

 dragging the root-weeds to the surface ( I<J5 ). It is such 

 an efficient implement, that the occupier of no extensive farm 

 should be without it. If the ground has been previously com- 

 pletely loosened by the plough, it tears up the couch and other 

 root-weeds, and brings them to the surface ; acting at the 

 same time, both as a sort of plough and harrow, with this 

 additional advantage, that by using it, instead of a plough 

 and harrows, moisture is retained in the ground even in the 

 driest seasons, and the growth of the turnip crop is most essen- 

 tially benefited. Light land cannot be ploughed too seldom, 

 when it can be maintained in good heart, and kept clean by 

 other means. The coulters are put either in a square, or in a 

 triangular wooden frame, with a small wheel, made of cast- 

 iron, placed at each angle of the frame, which roll on the 

 land, and regulate the depfh to which the shares are intend- 

 ed to penetrate the ground. It is now frequently made en- 

 tirely of iron, at an expense of about 1^.11. Such is the 

 utility of this implement, in saving ploughing, and keeping 

 the land clear of weeds, that it is supposed to have added 

 considerably to the value of every farm where it has been 

 introduced. Indeed, not only is labour diminished by the 

 use of the scarifier, but that instrument may be employed to 

 advantage in the following cases : 1. Barley and turnip land, 

 after being once ploughed, may be made both clean and fine, 

 by its means, and the harrowings and subsequent ploughings 

 are thereby rendered unnecessary ( * 67 ). 2. Where lands have 

 been ploughed in autumn, the objection to the sowing of spring 

 crops on the winter furrow, may be obviated, by the use of 

 the scarifier ( l68 ), as not only barley, but oats, (if not grown 

 after grass), beans, pease, and tares, may be sown without 

 an additional ploughing. 3. Summer fallows may likewise 

 be advantageously carried on with fewer ploughings, earlier 

 in the season, and at less expense ( l69 ). 4. It may be ef- 

 fectually employed, to forward operations in the prepara- 

 tion of land, for potatoes or turnips, and afterwards for 

 raising the potatoe crop ; and, 5. Its utility in mixing lime 



