NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



51 



THE FIELD ROLLER. 



The field roller is among the important implements 

 of the farm, contributing largely to improvements 

 and successful cultivation. The following are among 

 the advantages of this valuable implement. 



It levels and smooths the land on sowing down to 

 grass, pressing sods and small stones into the soft 

 soil, pulverizing the lumps of earth, and preparing a 

 fine even surface for the scj"the, and a better condition 

 of the soil for the crops. 



It presses the light, loose earth around the seeds of 

 grass, grain, &c., causing a more ready and sure vege- 

 tation, for many hard, slowly-vegetating seeds Avill 

 not start casilj', and some not at all, unless the earth 

 is pressed closely upon them. A farmer observed 

 that an old horse gave him a useful lesson. lie was 

 m a field in which a piece of carrots had just been 

 sowed on light land, and the horse rolled on the 

 carrot bed, and where he rolled the seeds came well, 

 but mostly faded on other parts. 



By making the earth compact at the surface, in- 

 sects are deprived of shelter ; otherwise the sods, 

 loose stones, and lumps of earth, afford them con- 

 venient habitations. 



In spring there is frequently great advantage in 

 rolling lands recently sowed to grain and grass, as 

 the earth that has been hove with the frost, exposing 

 the roots of plants, is replaced by the operation of 

 this implement. 



The roller is particularly beneficial on light lands, 

 where the soU. is too loose and porous to retain 

 moisture, and protect the manure from the effects of 

 di'jing winds and a scorching sun, and where it is 

 too light to allow the roots of plants a firm hold in 

 the earth ; and on lands usually wet, it is very useful, 

 in a dry time, in smoothing the surface, after sowing 

 to grain or grass. On most soils, small stones are 

 beneficial, and thus are but little trouble in 

 tillage. 



Some farmers apprehend that rolling lands will 

 make them heavy, but this is not the case ; it only 

 renders them compact at the surface, while they 



continue as loose and permeable to the roots of 

 plants as before this operation. 



Rollers are constructed of wood, stone, and iron. 

 Those of wood and of iron are mostly used. The 

 former cost the least in the beginning ; but those 

 made of cast iron are economical in a long run, as 

 they will last for ages. They are composed of sev- 

 eral sections, or di'ums, as represented in the engrav- 

 ing. They allow of turning conveniently, and with- 

 out scraping or displacing the soil. 



Cast iron rollers are made of diff'erent sizes, by 

 varying the number of sections, and by the use of 

 sections of different diameters. Some are twenty- 

 two, others thirty inches in diameter. They move 

 on wrought iron arbors, two inches in diameter. 

 Rollers thus constructed are remarkably strong and 

 durable. A box is attached, to receive stones and 

 other impediments to be removed from the land, or 

 to add to the weight, when necessary. The price 

 varies from thirty to fifty dollars. These rollers are 

 for sale at the Agricultural Wai'ehouse of Messrs. 

 Ruggles, Nourse, Mason, & Co., Quincy Hall, over 

 the Market. 



CARE OF COWS, SHEEP, &,c. 



All animals with young should be kept in tolera- 

 bly good condition, as poor keeping for creatru'es in 

 such condition is injurious, both to the parent and 

 offspring. But farmers should bo very careful and 

 guard against the opposite extreme ; for very high 

 keeping, which makes the animal very fat, is more 

 injurious than poor keeping, endangering the life 

 and health both of the dam and her young. 



Gentle exercise, at least, is necessary for animals in 

 a prolific state, but from inconvenience this is often 

 neglected in winter. With proper care animals may 

 receive a little moderate exercise, even in winter, to 

 prevent the jaundice, dyspepsia, and various disorders 

 that arise from inaction. Animals should at all times 

 be supplied with a plenty of pure water. 



