A "MATUTINAL HOUE." 169 



" "Well, they 're very reglar : hardly one missed. 

 But I do n't like to see 'em quite so high out of the 

 ground. I fancy it makes a tough skin, and a bitter 

 one. The drilled uns do n't look so reglar, but they 

 seem to hold the ground better. How's it done?" 



" By the acre ; after the first ridging-up, un- 

 manured ; a boy goes first, pressing the dib in with 

 his foot. You shall see it presently ; it is held by 

 both hands at the top, with a spoke out for the foot, 

 just above the ball of the dibber, to mark the next 

 distance as its point meets the ground, in drawing it 

 out, sideways, in going along. The hole takes about 

 a half-pint more it should be. The women follow 

 with the manure in a sort of hopper, toss a can- 

 full in, which fills the hole, and drop the seed in. 

 It is done very quickly ; but the mixing of the 

 manure is the great point. You must come and 

 see it done." 



" I should like it better for light soils. I doubt 

 its answering so well on this kind," said Mr. Green- 

 ing, thoughtfully, and poking his stout stick under a 

 turnip which rose very slowly and reluctantly out 

 of its bed. " "What is to be done, Sir, with these 

 Clay Siles ! I like 'em I own I like the strong 

 sile best but what 's the use o' liking what do n't 

 pay ? The labor 's double : every thing 's double 



