On Drilling. 339 



perly executed ( IJ9 ). But its success must depend upon the 

 intelligence, attention, perseverance and capital of the far- 

 mer. 



As it has been carried to the highest perfection, and cul- 

 tivated to the greatest extent, on the farm and on the estates 

 of that distinguished agriculturist, Mr Coke of Holkham, it 

 may be proper to give a short account of his practice. He 

 uses the Rev. Mr Cooke's drill, which is drawn by a sin- 

 gle horse, and sows six rows at a time, and an acre in an 

 hour. His wheat he sows at nine inches asunder, his barley 

 at six inches three quarters. The quantity of seed which he 

 sows per acre, is three bushels of barley, and six of oats (' 3 ). 

 In regard to wheat, the average quantity which he prefers, is 

 four bushels per acre. By depositing such a quantity of seed, 

 there is no occasion to earth up the plants, for the sake of pro- 

 moting tillering ( l31 ). On rich soils, it is the practice, to draw 

 the drills from north to south, because the rays of the sun, 

 when in his greatest altitude, striking directly between the 

 rows of corn, have a powerful effect in strengthening the 

 straw, and by absorbing the damp from the earth, become 

 a powerful auxiliary in preventing mildew. On poor soils, 

 on the other hand, the lines should be drawn from east to 

 west, if the nature of the ground will admit of that plan 

 being followed. Cooke's fixed drill-harrow, is used once in 

 spring, the hand-hoe is used twice, the land is cleared of 

 weeds, but the soil is not earthed up, nor accumulated 

 against the corn. The hoeings cost about twentypence 

 each, per acre. The largeness of the crops, particularly of 

 barley ( I3a ), and oats, raised even on poor land, under this 

 system, is hardly to be credited ( l33 ) ; and they are some- 

 times also of a superior quality ( l34 ). 



A great improvement has recently been made in drilling, 

 by the introduction of " The Inverted Hoes," invented by 

 Mr Blaikie ( I3S ). They consist of a pair of blades, for each 

 interval, going one before the other, and each having the 

 heel turned to the row. This disposition of the blades pre- 

 vents, 1. Cutting the plants, or their roots ; 2. Moulding up ; 

 and, 3. Clogging. They may be used, though the rows 

 of corn are only nine inches distant from each other ; and 

 it is found, that the occasional trampling of the horse on 

 the young plants, is not attended with injurious consequen- 

 ces ('36). 



It was formerly believed, that drilling was only applicable 

 to light soils ; but in Suffolk, strong or heavy land is now- 

 cultivated for spring crops, in drills, in a most perfect man- 



Y.8 



