338 On Drilling. 



hand-weeded, less damage will be done to the crop, by the 

 weeder's feet passing between the rows of plants, than by 

 treading upon them, as must inevitably be the case, when 

 working promiscuously over the ground ; 7. That the pro- 

 gress of the grain, alter the scarifier has worked upon the 

 soil, is attended with the most beneficial effects ( Iiz ) ; 8. 

 That drilling is peculiarly calculated for inferior soils, and 

 brings their produce more nearly on a footing with that of 

 fertile land, than could otherwise be obtained ( I33 ) ; 9. That 

 the pulverization of the soil, between the rows of autumn or 

 winter-sown wheat, is of the greatest benefit to the clover 

 seeds sown in spring, and that the admission of air between 

 the rows, is of use to the corn crops ( IZ4 ), as well as to the 

 grass-seeds sown with it ; 10. That drilled crops of white 

 corn, from the greater strength of their straw, are less apt 

 to lodge, or to be beaten down in wet seasons ( IZS ) ; and are 

 much less subject to other casualties, in particular to the dis- 

 eases to which wheat is unfortunately liable; -11. That the 

 expense of cutting down a drilled crop in harvest, is uni- 

 formly less, than of one which is sown broad-cast, since 

 three reapers will do as much work in the former case, as 

 four in the latter ( 126 ); 12. That drilled crops are more equal 

 in growth, and that in general they produce a cleaner, and 

 more regular sample for the market; 13. That drilled 

 crops can be harvested to more advantage, and sooner con- 

 veyed to the barn, or to the corn-yard, than if they had been 

 produced under the broad-cast system, in which less atten- 

 tion is paid to the destruction of weeds ; and, 14. That 

 drilling may be of use in regard to the grub, and other ver- 

 min, for that the hoeing in spring, the treading of the hoers, 

 and the stirring of the soil by the hoes, must give a check 

 to their depredations ( ia7 ). 



In regard to any saving of seed, which by some is consi- 

 dered an advantage, Mr Coke of Holkham is decidedly of 

 opinion, that such an idea is founded on erroneous princi- 

 ples, and that any economy of that sort ought not to be at- 

 tempted ( iz8 ). It is indeed of use to have the roots matted 

 together, provided that there is substance enough in the soil 

 to nourish the plants ; and it is found, that wheat thrives 

 best on a firm and compact bottom, which prevents the roots 

 from being long and straggling. 



Innumerable instances might be brought forward, of heavy 

 crops having been produced under the drill system, by those 

 who have bestowed much care in trying the experiment ; 

 and it has often answered, even on a great scale, when pro- 



