IMPLEXENTS, AGRICULTURAL. Under this term are generally comprehended not only the implements used iu the actual cultivation of the soil, but those requisite for other operations of farming, and for the preparation of the produce of the land for use, in so far as it is ordinarily carried on by the farmer. The first implements for the cultivation of the ground were doubtless such as could be used by man's unaided strength, and many such are still in use, as the spade, the hoe, the fork, and the shovel. When animals were reduced to the service of man the plow appeared in its first rude form. Grubbers, culti vators, etc., are recent inventions; rollers are more ancient. Sowing machines or drilLs are modern, but the harrow is ancient, although branches of trees drawn along the newly sown land, long served the purpose of its now carefully adjusted tincs.—The necessity of irrigation in some countries early led to expedients and implements for accomplishing it.
Implements for clearing the ground of weeds, for occasional stirring of the ground whilst under crop, and for earthing 'up crops, are all, except the hoe, of comparatively recent invention. The scythe and sickle have existed from remote antiquity, although the reaping-machine is a novelty only beginning to assume a very important place. Wheel-carriages of various descriptions and for various purposes must be mentioned among agricultural implements; also implements for thrashing and winnowing corn, for seuteging and breaking flax, for ginning cotton, for crushing sugar-cane and evapor ating its juice, etc. The preparation of the produce of different plants requires imple ments of different kinds. Others are required in the care of cattle, and for the dairy (q.v.). The principal agricultural implements are noticed in separate articles, and some in connection with particular kinds of cultivated plants.