Implements of Husbandry. 115 



or compost with the soil, is of the highest importance, as it 

 not only incorporates these manures more effectually than the 

 plough, but never places them beyond their proper depth. 

 Hence the scarifier or grubber, is considered to be one of 

 the greatest improvements in the culture of the soil, that 

 modern times can boast of ( I7 ). 



2. Implements for sowing Corn. 



Corn is sown, 1. By the hand; 2. By drill machines; or, 

 3. By dibbling. 



1. Hand-sowing. Though there are machines for sowing 

 grain, and small seeds, not in regular rows, yet the most 

 general mode, where drilling is not practised, is by the hand. 

 In hand-sowing, it is necessary to have the assistance either 

 of a hopper or of a linen-sheet. A hopper or basket, is a 

 useful implement for the purpose, as with it, the man has 

 considerable freedom in stepping, which is of as much im- 

 portance as the management of the hand ( I?I ). The sower 

 likewise can fill a hopper himself, without the aid of another 

 person ( I7z ). In several districts, they use a hopper made, 

 either of chip or straw, bent so as to favour the side of the man 

 who sows the grain, and swung by a strap over the shoulder; 

 but on the whole, the sower walks rather more at his ease, 

 with the corn in a sheet, than when it is carried in a bas- 

 ket ( 173 ). 



2. DriU-machines^ 74 ). It is certainly desirable, that every 

 species of seed should be sown in a regular manner, and 

 at a proper depth, and a variety of useful machines have been 

 invented for that purpose. They have been objected to,, on 

 account of their being complicated and expensive ; but in 

 these respects, improvements have been already made, and 

 there is reason to hope, that they may still be brought to 

 greater simplicity and cheapness. 



To facilitate the operation of drilling grain, much in- 

 genuity has been displayed. The drills of the Rev. Mr 

 Cooke, and of Mr Bailey of Chillingham ( l75 ), have been 

 deservedly celebrated. A new machine, invented by Mi- 

 Frost, late of Saham,was exhibited at Holkham, and metwith 

 much approbation. It is peculiarly calculated for strong 

 land, and the improvements which it presents, tend greatly 

 to remove the objections which have been made \o the 

 general adoption of the drill system. A machine, in- 

 vented by Mr Checketts of Belgrave Hall, near Leicester, 

 with some improvements by Mr Morton of Leith Walk, 



H 2 



