GOOD AND BAD SOWING. 



41 



the seed may have been badly sown, as above described, 

 and may therefore be in some parts so crowded as to 

 prevent free growth, in others so scanty as to leave the 

 ground bare. This want of uniformity is a great mis- 

 chief, for it is only when grain is sown at equal depths, 

 and at equal or nearly equal distances, that the plants 

 can attain equal height and strength. 



GOOD SOWING. 



Autumn wheat is always sown broad-cast in Scotland, 

 except in the neighbourhood of large towns, where it is 

 sown in rows with the drill. The latter method is now 

 extensively used in England. One great advantage at- 

 tending it is, that the weeding of the land ca n be car- 

 ried on much more conveniently between the rows than 

 when the crop is scattered indiscriminately al over the 

 surface. 



However experienced and skilful the labourer, and 

 however careful the farmer himself, there will be times 

 during the sowing season, when the work, if done broad- 

 cast, will be slighted, and the labourer will relax in his 

 industry. The evil result appears when it is too late to 

 remedy it, and the farmer, annoyed at these signs of 

 negligence, is at length willing to adopt a machine which 

 promises to ensure perfect regularity. It is thus that 

 sowing-machines gradually make their way in England. 



