CULTIVATION AND GROWTH 31 



disadvantage where heavy rains occur, for in such 

 case a smooth crusted surface results which is 

 difficult to pulverize and prepare into a suitable 

 seed bed. Thus we see how closely man's activ- 

 ities even in this small detail are related to climatic 

 conditions. 



Methods of Seeding. Two processes are in- 

 volved in planting the grain : sowing and covering. 

 These processes may or may not be performed by 

 the same machine. Where seed is scattered rather 

 evenly over the ground, the process is known as 

 broadcasting; where the seed is sown in rows the 

 method is termed drilling. 



In most places where wheat is grown only in 

 small tracts, the seed is sown by hand. The 

 sower usually holds a bag of seed on his left arm 

 and scatters the grain with his right hand (Fig. 

 19). Sometimes he carries the seed in a trough- 

 like box hung from his shoulders, leaving both 

 hands free to use in scattering the seed. Sowing, 

 then, consists in ' casting abroad," which has 

 given rise to the term broadcast. Considerable 

 skill is necessary to scatter the seed evenly, and 

 the worker presents a pleasing sight as he ad- 

 vances with measured tread and rhythmic swing. 

 This scene furnished the inspiration for Millet's 

 famous painting, The Sower. 



Wherever wheat is grown on a larger scale, 

 machine seeding is employed. The broadcast 



