150 AMERICAN HUSBANDRY. 



is to be preferred. This may be constructed by in- 

 terweaving some strong but pliant branches of trees 

 through the open squares of a heavy harrow, which 

 thus forms an efficient brush, and, when drawn over 

 the ground, performs' its duty perfectly during a 

 short distance ; but the branches being pressed close, 

 and worn by the motion, soon become so flat as not 

 to have the effect of spreading the earth thrown 

 upon the surface by earth-worms, or ground-mice, 

 or ants. It is therefore recommended in British 

 Husbandry, as a better mode, to fix the branches 

 upright in a frame, placed in the front part of the 

 carriage of the roller ; by which means they can be 

 so placed as to sweep the ground effectually, and, 

 when worn, can be moved a little lower down, so as 

 to continue the work with regularity. This opera- 

 tion also completely breaks and scatters the manure 

 dropped on the field by the stock, and partially in- 

 corporates it with the surface-mould. 



Scarifying is cutting the sod and loosening the 

 surface. Concklin's Press-harrow is a suitable im- 

 plement for this purpose. We also subjoin the 

 drawing of an implement constructed for this pur- 

 pose, which we take from British Husbandry, calcu- 

 lated to be drawn by a one or two horse team. 



This implement is intended to cut the sod perpen- 

 dicularly, so far down as to sever the roots of the 

 grass, which occasions it to throw out fresh ones. 

 It slices the sod without tearing it, and should be 

 constructed with a number of very sharp coulters, 

 fixed into a crossbeam at such distances as may be 



