Of Rolling. 321 



germination ( 66 ). 5. Not only for turnips, but for all other 

 crops, rolling, particularly a little after midnight, is found 

 to be useful for destroying slugs ( 6? ), snails, the wire-worm, 

 and other vermin, so destructive to young plants. And, 6. 

 Flax ought to be rolled immediately after sowing, as that 

 operation makes the seed vegetate equally, and prevents 

 after-growth, the mischievous effects of which are visible in 

 every step of the process for dressing flax. 



The other advantages of rolling arable land are, that it 

 renders a loose soil more compact and solid. This en- 

 courages the growth of plants, by pressing the soil to their 

 roots. It likewise keeps in the moisture, and prevents 

 drought from penetrating. When the soil is worked up 

 lightly, moisture either filters through it too quickly, or is 

 easily evaporated. In a dry season this may occasion a very 

 material difference in the crop, more especially in a light 

 soil. 



Rolling is executed to most advantage, across the direc- 

 tion of the ridges, because more adapted to ensure full be- 

 nefit to the furrows, which otherwise may not be properly 

 gone over. 



The heavy roller, allowing for a slight overlap, and the 

 time spent in turning, may roll about six acres per day, the 

 expense of which may be from Is. 9d. to 2s. per acre. 



Farmers are rarely provided with a sufficient number of 

 these implements. When a large field is to be rolled, a 

 number of rollers ought at once to be set at work, other- 

 wise an opportunity may be lost, never to be regained ( 68 ) ; 

 and where oxen are kept, they may be usefully employed in 

 this operation. 



SECT. VI.- Choice of Seed. 



CULTIVATORS often commit very serious blunders in the 

 choice of seed ; yet by attention to this object, they might 

 frequently add considerably to the quantity of the produce, 

 and to the intrinsic value of the crop. 



By some, the hazardous rule, of taking the worst grain 

 for seed, has been recommended ; but it is a much safer sys- 

 tem, unless in cases of real necessity, to use none but what is 

 fully ripened, for such seed is less affected by injurious lo- 

 cal circumstances, or unfavourable seasons. The ripest seed 

 may be obtained by beating, or slightly thrashing the sheaves. 



