to the Cultivation of the Land. 
183 
seed-bed comminuted mechanicallj, are two different thini^s. In 
the latter case the particles are all dry and ready to seize and 
coalesce with each other with the cementing moisture of the first 
rain-lall ; but when wrought down from a state of clods by the 
natural process of weathering, thoy are independent and repelling 
rather than inclined to suck and adhere to one another, their 
pores being replete with the moisture which has burst them into 
atoms out of solid cakes and slags ; and thus we have both a 
cheaply obtained comminution, and a more permanent mould for 
the elements to permeate, and for roots to roam and feed in. A\ e 
have learned, therefore, to prefer cutting or tearing and lifting 
the soil in mass, as the spade does, though not in spits too thick 
or unshattered, — asking for very fine pulverization, only near 
the surface (which the gardener rakes) when seed is to be 
planted ; and laying up rough lumps in ridges or openly exposed 
when we are to leave it mutely beseeching the gifts of atmo- 
spheric enricliment. 
Before quitting the subject of granulating the soil by a steam- 
power rotary tiller, I must mention another forra now before the 
public — a portion of Mr. Halkett's cultivating apparatus, patented 
in October, 1855. Underneath his wide-spanning stage or 
platform travelling along the guideway-rails is fixed a rotary 
implement, much resembling a long-toothed Norwegian harrow, 
though only a single axis, with the rowels fast upon it, and this 
is carried forward endwise, or in the same direction as its length, 
at the same time revolving at a high velocity by means of driving- 
shafts and bevel gearing from the engine. The land is previously 
ploughed, and then follows " the comminutor," reducing obdurate 
clay to a state of the finest tilth : it leaves a semi-circular trench 
or furrow behind it, and cuts the ground, which it tosses side- 
ways into a seed-bed fine as a molehill for the depth of 5 or 6 
inches, while the depth of the previous ploughing may be much 
greater. The action, in fact, resembles the pulverizing of Hanson's 
potato-digger, and, as in that machine, a screen is used (when the 
soil is free from large stones), and by this means the clods not at 
first broken are thrown back upon the tines for a second or third 
blow. j\Ir. Halkett has found, in working the machine, that the 
roots of couch and other weeds are blown over the top of the 
instrument and deposited on the unbroken land, where they may 
be raked up with facility. A hopper is provided for distributing 
and intermingling artificial manure among the shower of pulveru- 
lent mould. 
Mr. Romaine's cultivator appeared in a new shape in the year 
1855, being built at Montreal and sent over to Paris at the time 
of the Exhibition. It propelled itself over the ground, but was a 
very imperfect machine, being defective in the boiler and in the 
