The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-12-23
Use Of Farm Implements.

Most farmers have rollers. vet few
use them much and fewer still to adj
vantage. They are employed usually
for crushing clods, with, however, little
benefit generally, as they only reduce
the size, while they increase the num-
Der. leaving the land harsh and rough;
besides, the hardest Jumps are crowded
into the soil The work should be de-
layed till rain softens the Jumps. The
true farmer has few clOds to crush; he
keeps his soil in condition to work up
mellow. His use of the roller is mostly
for grass lands, pasture as well as mead
ow, and as early in the season as the
ground will allow. 1t packs the roots
well and favors a denser growth, as it
avoids exposure to cold, drying winds,
and thus earlier and better pasture is
obtained. Meadow, in like manner, is
benefited, not only by being rolled in
the spring but again after the crop is
removed, especially if second crop is
to be cut, as the surface becomes more
or less roughened by the burrowing of
vermin A second rolling is not neces-
sary with pasture, as the trampling of
the stock answers the purpose. All this
is of little benefit if light roller is
used, as it does not afford sufficient
pressure. Double the usual amount is
little enough, more on light soil is re-
quired. Lessen also the length of the
roller so as to meet better the Unequal
tiles of the surface. Such roller makes
short work of Jumps on plowed land,
and does the work of covering grass
seed more effectuallv.
Although the harrow has been used
time out of mind, something still may
be learned about it by many. Like the
roller, the common harrow is too light,
not for covering seed, but to secure
greater depth of loose soil; being in
this respect an aid to the cultivator,
finishing what that implement began,
cutting rather than displacing the soil.
Next to covering grain its best use is in
reducing the roughneSs and Jumps of
the soil, usually occasioned by blowing
when too moist. OF this implement,
as of the roller, rain should precede
the use. The wonder is that this point
is so much disregarded, considering its
importance. The same applies TO all
implements intended for surface work.
The smoothing harrow was not re-
ceived with favor at its introduction.
Its price was against it. But its variety
of good qualities began, after awhile,
to be appreciated, and the knowledge
of its merit has since been extended
until now this harrow is considered by
the advanced farmer to be one of the
most useful Implements of husbandry.
II is the last in the series for working
the soil, the pillow, cultivator and COM
mon harrow preceding it. Its work is
on the immediate surface, and seems
insignificant, yet the results show the
Importance of surface work, securing
for the land Il mulch and a finer seed
bed than can be obtained in any other
way, particularly when seeding down
land. But its best service is after the
grain has started. 1t then hoes it, in eff
feet, and does the work more thorough
ly than can be done in any other way
does it perfectly and without harm to
the crop, the few plants thrown out
causing more likely a benefit than hurt,
as it Trims out the stand and has thus
virtually the effect of thinner sowing,
which is the demand of the day, espe-
cially in rich soil. Here narrowing and
cross-harrowing should be done and re-
peated as often and as long rs the grain
will permit. This makes clean work,
giving the crop chance to occupy the
ground, shade it, and thus prevent
weeds from appearing. The advantage
this affords to corn is great; but it is
also applied to the grains in general
with equally good effect. On account
of the great spread of the implement
the work is soon accomplished.
Much might be said about plows, as
so many kinds are in use, each claim
ing some advantages; and more or less
benefit is derived from the variety as
applied to the different kinds of soil,
and where large areas are to be worked,
thus iustifying the outlay. Two plows,
however, will do the work on ordinary
farms, the distinguishing characteristic
of the plows being in the pitch of the
mold-board. that throwing up the earth
being best adapted to fall blowing and
to clay soil, giving better chance for
the elements to act and water to soak
away In this way clay soil can be
planted earlier in spring and better
crops grown; manure also has IA greater
effect Light sandy soil, or loan, is
plowed with advantage in favorable
spring, if early and dry enough, and
such soil soon parts with its water. I'm
like fall blowing, the surface of the
ground in spring blowing should be
smooth, as light, loamy soil works up
mellow. Hence mold-board with less
resistance may be used, doing the work
not only better but easier. The ground
favoring, sod can be laid as level as a
floor, securing an even, mellow surface,
valuable especially for corn. Grass and
weeds have less chance here, and can
be readily kept down or destroyed by
the smoothing harrow and other nipple
ments. Throwing up clay soil roughly
to the elements in the fall, and blowing
light soil smoothly in the spring, are
the true treatments of such soils, and
each requires special mold board.
Similar remarks might be made of other
Their efficiency is well
What is wanted is bet
ter knowledge of their use, and in
creased skill in handling them.
Country Gentleman.