NOTES. 57 



sown crops are liable to be attacked, and greatly injured, by the mother-fly and 

 other insects. 



113 Kent Report, p. 107. 



114 Communication from John Middle-ton, Esq. 



115 This objection is obviated, by an addition to the machinery. The seed- 

 box is fastened on a pivot, or by a screw, and the position of the box is adjust- 

 ed to the ascent or descent, without any difficulty. 



116 Communication from Mr Blaikie, at Holkham. Yet, in very poor soils, 

 it may be expedient to try the effect of earthing up, with wider intervals, so that 

 the hoeing will not injure the surface roots. Jn rich soils, it would be decided- 

 ly injurious. It was only on that point that the Author entertained any doubt 

 as to the utility of drilling, which the new practice of avoiding earthing up 

 has removed. 



117 Remark by Edward Burroughs, Esq. 



118 It is a great advantage to place the seed at a proper depth, so as to se- 

 cure a sufficient degree of moisture to promote germination ; and to make this 

 deposition uniform, that the grain may spring and ripen more equally. 



119 Dickson's Husbandry, vol. i. p. 456 



120 This is an advantage peculiar to drilling, for when crops are ploughed 

 in, some of the seed will go to the bottom of the furrow, some will be left half 

 way, and some will even be left at the top. In fact, the depth of seed, when 

 ploughed in, unless well executed, is often more irregular than when harrow- 

 ed in. Remark by Mr Wilkie of Wimpolc. 



121 On a field sown in drills 12 inches apart, which received one hoeing in 

 spring, a more productive crop, and by far more valuable grain was raised, 

 than on a broad-cast crop, which had received three times the quantity of dung. 

 The manure for the drilled crop of wheat, was applied in drills made by the 

 plough, the seed sown, and then harrowed down. Remark by Edward Bur- 

 roughs, Esq. 



] 22 Communication from J. C. Curwen, Esq. M. P. 



123 Mr Blaikie, at Holkham, states, that it is no uncommon circumstance, 

 to have from inferior land in Norfolk, rented only at from 1 5s. to 30s. per acre, 

 as much produce as from land, that, in other districts, pays from L.5 to L.6 

 per acre. From land of an inferior quality, paying only 20s. for rent, and 5s. 

 for tithe, 41 bushels of wheat per acre have been obtained, under the drill sys- 

 tem. 



1 24 It is absurd to suppose, that the access of air, so essential to the growth 

 and health of plants, should not be of service to the roots of plants, if means 

 could be contrived, (as is the case under the drill system), by which its access 



can be obtained. Where soils are very j>oor, the plan adopted in the cultiva- 

 tion of turnips, ought to be extended to grain, that of placing the manure, in 

 the centre of a drill, and sowing the grain above it. 



125 This has been doubted, but the dril lists are in this point supported by 

 respectable authority : the Rev. Adam Dickson, in his Treatise on Agricul- 

 ture, vol. ii. p. 61 and 62, remarks, " That weeds keep the air from the roots 

 of corn, and thereby expose it to be lodged." He observes, in another place, 

 " That when corn is sown in rows, with intervals, the admission of air strength- 

 ens the stalks, which prevents the corn from lodging," vol. i. p. 526. Be- 

 sides, it is well known, that when corn is lodged, it suffers less, if it has been 

 drilled, than the broad-cast, there being, between the rows, an admission of air, 

 which tends to dry the stems, and to render it sooner fit for being harvested. 



126 Husbandry of Scotland, vol. i. p. 347. 



127 Drilling was also considered to be greatly superior to broad-cast, when 

 the seed was sown in windy weather ; but machines have been invented, by 

 which grain may be scattered over the surface with regularity and safety, what- 

 i ver the state of the weather may be. 



128 Many practical agriculturists, however, warmly oppose the universal 



