28 OUR FARM CROPS, 



face, which is usually only acquired by long and careful 

 practice. 



In broadcasting, whether on the harrowed surface or 

 on the ploughed ridges, which is frequently done for the 

 purpose of more readily covering the seed, a certain pro- 

 portion of the seed is always left under conditions unfa- 

 vourable to germination, either by being left on the surface 

 or by being buried too deep; consequently it is always 

 customary to allow for this by increasing the quantity 

 sown. This increase should be about one-third to one- 

 half more than that used by the drill ; say, for instance, 

 where 2 bushels of seed are drilled, 3 bushels should be 

 broadcasted. The use of the broadcast machine insures 

 a more equal distribution on the surface, but leaves the 

 other imperfections of the method the same. The neces- 

 sary quantity of seed should be carried into the field, and 

 left in sacks at intervals most convenient for the sower. 



The practice of drilling was introduced by Jethro Tull, 

 to obviate the difficulty, nay impossibility, of keeping 

 the land sown broadcast free from weeds. Owing to the 

 vast improvement in the adaptation and manufacture of 

 agricultural machines generally, this practice has widely 

 spread itself of late years. The advantages it offers are 

 a considerable saving in the quantity of seed necessary (from 

 one- third to one-half), owing to the greater regularity in 

 the proportion of seed sown, and the depth at which it is 

 deposited ; and the power it gives to sow the seed in parallel 

 lines at any distances apart that may be desired, so that 

 the surface may be stirred after the heavy rains of winter, 

 and kept free from weeds, either by the hand or the horse- 

 hoe, during the early growth of the plants. The quantity 

 of land to be drilled in a day depends upon the size of the 

 machine used, and this is generally determined by the 

 size of the farm, or rather the arable portion of it. This 

 can readily be calculated by the foregoing rule : thus, if 



