1781. NORFOLK. 39 



The dibbles made ufe of in this operation are 23. 



of iron. The ading part is an egg-fliaped DIBBLING 

 knob of iron or fteel fomewhat larger than a 

 pigeon's egg. The fmaller end forms the point 

 of the dibble ; whilft from the larger riles a 

 firing of iron, about half an inch fquare, and 

 two feet and a half long. The head of it is 

 received into a crofs piece of wood (refembling 

 the crutch of a fpade or (hovel) which forms 

 the handle. 



The dibbkr makes ufe of two of thefe tools ; 

 one in each hand ; and, bending over them, 

 walks backward upon the flags ; making two 

 rows of holes in each. The rows are uiually 

 made about four inches apart, and the diftance 

 in the rows from two and a half to three 

 inches ; namely, four holes in each length of 

 the foot of the dibbler. 



The great art in making the holes lies in 

 leaving them fmooth and firm on the fides ; 

 fo that the loofe mould do not run in to fill 

 them up before the feeds are deposited. This 

 is done by a circular motion of the hand and 

 wrift , which make a femi-revolution every 

 ftroke : the circular motion beginning as the 

 bit enters, and continues until it is clearly dif- 

 engaged from the mould. The dibbles muft 

 D 4 come 



