BY TILLAGE. 323 



ing, or the frosts of winter, which expose the roots of plants 

 to injury. The roller breaks down the lumps, and gives 

 compactness to the whole mass. The good effects of passing 

 the roller over fields of winter grain or grass lands in the 

 spring, have been fully tested by experience. The earth, 

 which the frost has rendered porous, and which does not 

 therefore embrace the roots, is rendered more com pact. On 

 light sandy soils, the use of the roller is almost indispensable, by 

 closing the pores and preventing the evaporation of the mois- 

 ture, which such soils most require, although they are more 

 liable than any other to yield it up. 



Fig. 19. 

 The utility of the 

 cultivator (A. Fig. 

 19), may also be 

 referred to, as this 

 implement may be 

 employed to save 

 the labor of hoeing. 

 It also leaves the ground in a better state than the plough, 

 when used among hoed crops. But it is not our purpose to 

 describe the instruments of tillage. 



We may observe, in conclusion, that thorough ploughing, 

 harrowing, hoeing, weeding, etc. will incorporate the ma- 

 nures with the earthy ingredients, and promote, in the best 

 manner, the influence of all those atmospherical and other 

 agents which are required to Jit the soil to sustain a vigorous 

 and healthy vegetation. It is hardly necessary to add, that 

 the ease of cultivation and the quantity and quality of produc- 

 tions, will depend, materially, upon the faithful and season- 

 able performance of this branch of the art of husbandry. 



