95 



cast, that the difference of produce between the two might 

 be ascertained. The drills were made at a foot distance 

 between the rows, and the drilled part of the field was 

 hand-hoed, during the summer, at the cxpence of one gui- 

 nea per acre . The difference of produce was very great, 

 for the broadcast yielded only 9 bolls per Scotch acre, 

 whereas not less than 15 bolls was the produce of the 

 other. 



Among the advantages of drilling, Mr Hope states, 

 that he has uniformly found the expence of cutting a 

 drilled crop in harvest less than what was sown broadcast ; 

 the difference he has always found to be in this propor- 

 tion, that three reapers will do as much work in the for- 

 mer case as four in the latter. 



Mr Church of Hitchel recommends drilling wheat 

 crops, not only for the purpose of having an opportunity 

 to eradicate weeds by hoeing, but to give the grain a 

 good hold of the ground, which may prevent the frost 

 throwing it so easily out in the spring, and the wind 

 loosening the roots of it so readily when it is in ear and 

 beginning to fill. On light land, he has sometimes obser- 

 ved the grain make no farther progress towards per- 

 fection, after a high wind at this period, which he pre- 

 sumes is owing principally to the roots being loosened, 

 the ascension of nutriment to the ear_ being thereby pre- 

 vented. 



* Mr Scott of Craiglockhart recommends the Dutch hoe as 

 the best, for the operator proceeds backward, leaving the 

 wrought ground and cut weeds untrod : the work is also much 

 lighter, as less force is requisite, and stooping unnecessary. If 

 taken in time, before the weeds get rough, a girl will hoe with 

 ease the fourth part of a Scotch acre per day. 



