The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-01-06
Use Of Farm Implements.

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Most farmers have rollers, yet few
use them much and fewer still to ad
vantage. They are employed usually
for crushing clods, with, however, little
benefit generally, as they only reduce
the size, while they increase the mum.
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 sod in condition to work up
mellow. His use of the roller is mostly
torgrass lands, pasture as well as mead
ow, and as earl y in the season as the
ground will allow. 1t packs the roots
well and favors 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 a 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-
CURED. Lessen also the length of the
roller so as to meet better the ineaual-
tiles Of the surface. Such roller makes
short work OF Jumps on plowed land,
and does the work of covering grass
seed more effectuallv. fa-
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, a 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-
celved 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 insthe series for working
the soil, the pillow, cultivator and com
mon harrow preceding it. It's work is
on the immediate surface, and seems
insignificant, yet the results show the
of surface work, securing
for the land mulch and 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
~ 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 benefit than hurt.
as 1t thlns out the stand and has thus |
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 as 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
his affords to corn is great; but it is
also applied to the grains in general
with equally good effect. On account
u the great spread of the implement
Inc work is soon accomplished.
Much might be said about plows, as
10 many kinds are in use, each claim
ng some advantage; and more or less
benefit is derived from the variety as
applied to the different kinds of soil.
Ind where large areas are to be worked.
nus justifying the outlay. Two plows.
however, will do the work on ordinary
arms, the distinguishing characteristic
" the plows being in the pitch of the
nold-board, that throwing up the earth
'elng best adapted to fall blowing and
o clay soil, giving better chance for
he elements to act and water to. soak
way. In this way clay soil can be
planted earlier in spring and better
rops grown; manure also has greater
fleet. Light sandy soil, or loan, is
bowed with advantage in a favorable
pring. if early and dry enough, and
UGH soil soon parts with its water. I'm
ike fall blowing, the surface of the
round in spring blowing should be
mooth, as light, loamy soil works up |
Mellow. Hence nold-board with less
may be used, doing the work
ot only better but easier The ground
avorlng, sod can be laid as level as a
DOR, securing an even, mellow surface.
aluable especially for corn. Grass and
reeds have less chance here, and can
e readily kept down or DESTROYED by
ne smoothing harrow and other imple-
tents. Throwing up clay soil roughly
the elements in the fall, and blowing
ght soil smoothly in the spring, are
he true treatments of such soils, and
ach requires special mold board. ,
lmllar remarks might be made of other
nplements. Their efficiency is well
Established. What is wanted is a bet !
r knowledge of their use, and in !
'eased skill in handling them.-Cor. :
oantry Gentleman.