AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



times hinged and sometimes double ; with long teeth and 

 with short ones, some thickly set together, and some far 

 apart. For pulverising firmly sodded or stiff clay lands, a 

 heavy, compact harrow is required, with strong teeth suffi- 

 ciently spread ; and for lighter lands, or for covering seed, 

 the more expanded harrow, with numerous, small and thick- 

 ly set teeth. To pulverise soil, the harrow should move as 

 quickly as possible, so as to strike the lumps forcibly, and 

 knock them to pieces ; and for this purpose an active team is 

 required. When the land sinks much under the pressure of 

 the horses feet, light animals as mules or ponies are prefera- 

 ble. 



THE ROLLER 



Is an important implement for many fields. It is always 

 useful for pulverizing the soil, which it does by breaking 

 down such ciods and lumps as escape the harrow, and thus 

 renders the field smooth for the scythe or cradle ; and it is 

 equally so on meadows which have become uneven from 

 the influence of frost, ant-hills, or other causes. It is ser- 

 viceable in covering seed by pressing the earth firmly 

 around it ; which thus secures moisture enough for germi- 

 nation. But its greatest benefit is with such sandy soils 

 as are not sufficiently compact to hold the roots of 

 plants firmly and retain a suitable moisture. With these it 

 is invaluable, and the proper use of the roller has in some 

 instances doubled the product. Its effect is similar to that 

 produced by the frequent treading in a foot-path ; and the 

 observing farmer will not have failed to notice the single 

 thread of thick green-sward which marks its course over an 

 otherwise almost barren field of sand or loose gravel. The 

 thickly woven emerald net-work that indicates the sheep- 

 walks, on similar soils, is principally due to the .same 

 cause. 



Rollers are variously constructed. The simplest form is 

 a single wooden shaft with gudgeons at each end, which rest 

 in a square frame made by fastening four joists together, a 

 tongue for drawing it being placed in one of its sides. A 

 box may be attached to this frame for the purpose of hold- 

 ing stones and weeds picked up in the field, and for weight- 

 ing the roller according to the work required. When a 

 roller exceeds 8 or 10 feet in length, it should be divided in 

 the middle and have an iron axle pass through each part, 

 upon which they revolve, taking care to diminish the fric- 



