SOWING WHEAT. 67 



than to impart additional powers of growth. 

 The land having been prepared by the plough 

 and harrow, in the manner before explained, 

 the seed is to be sown. There are three prin- 

 cipal methods of performing this operation: 

 namely, by broadcast, by dibbing, or by the 

 drill. The first is no doubt the most ancient 

 way; and considerable skill is required from, 

 and practised by, the husbandman, in perform- 

 ing this part of his duty. His walk, his throw, 

 his grasp, must each be accurately timed and 

 measured, or his ground and seed would be 

 greatly wasted, by having some spaces scarcely 

 supplied, and others so overdone, that the plant 

 would fail for want of room. He steps along 

 the furrows with great regularity, and flings at 

 such intervals, and in such quantities, as will 

 ensure the designed allowance, which varies a 

 little according to circumstances, about two 



