718 



THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. 



shape and number of the tines the ground is stirred upwards so as to 

 bring fresh earth to the surface, and at the same time lift out any couch 

 or thistle-roots that may be in it. This implement is particularly useful 

 in dragging out roots previously to laying down land to pasture. As in 

 all other harrows, it is very necessary to keep the tines sharp, or the 

 work cannot be effective. 



Fig. 270. Farm iter's Flexible Harrow. 



The Harrow (fig. 269) is an implement of essential importance in the 

 management of farm-lands, not only for the purpose of covering the 

 seed with earth, but likewise for pulverising the soil previously to its- 

 reception of the seed, and freeing it from the weeds and roots which it 

 may contain. The improvement of the harrow has of late years become 

 an object of considerable attention, and numerous alterations have been 

 introduced in order to suit it to various soils and different modes of 

 tillage. Iron harrows are now in most general use : they are made in 



Fig. 271. Howard's Flexible Grass Harrow. 



sets of three or four, and light or heavy, according to the work for 

 which they are intended, and are arranged to spread eight, ten, or 

 twelve feet. Fig. 270 represents a flexible harrow, made by Messrs. 

 P. J. Parmiter & Co., of Tisbury, Wilts, which has gained a good repu- 

 tation for destroying charlock and other weeds ; and this is found 

 equally useful for harrowing pastures. The .grass harrow is very 

 essential to the grazier as well as to all farmers, and the one illustrated 

 in fig. 271 is one of the best known. The points are made so as to 

 work equally well on either side, by merely turning the harrow over. 

 The work done is nearly perfect, dung being broken up and worked into 



