160 DRY LAND FARMING 



break the crust that forms on grain as the result of rain 

 at that stage of growth when the use of the harrow may 

 bury the grain. In some instances the roller will do 

 this work quite as effectively as the harrow. 



The roller should not be used in dry areas: (1) on 

 any land or any crop, unless followed by the harrow, lest 

 the land should encrust if rain follows ; (2) on light sandy 

 land that will lift readily with the wind, as the wind lifts 

 the soil much more readily from a smooth than from a 

 rough surface; (3) on land that packs readily, unless in 



THE DANDY DUNHAM STEEL LAND ROLLER. 

 Courtesy Deere & Webber Co., Minneapolis, Minn. 



exceptional instances ; (4) for the purpose of covering 

 grass seeds that have been sown broadcast, as is some- 

 times done in humid areas; (5) on either fall or spring- 

 sown grain as the final operation of tillage ; (6) on 

 autumn-sown grain in the spring, save where the soil 

 is liable to heave. 



Flankers and their use. A planker is an implement, 

 more commonly of home construction, that is used in 

 smoothing and levelling and in some instances also for 

 compressing the soil. It is made of planks and is 

 of various patterns. There is perhaps no type of 



