46 CULTURE OF FARM CROPS. 



CHAPTER. FOURTH. 



DIFFEKENT MODES OF SOWING THE SEED THICK AND 



THIN SOWING. 



34. There are three methods employed in sowing the 

 seed (1.) Broadcasting; (2.) Drilling; and (3.) Dibbling. 

 Of these three the first two are the most generally prac- 

 tised, the third being quite exceptional. Broadcasting has 

 the great advantage of being quickly done, so that in un- 

 certain, showery weather, where the land is already pre- 

 pared for the sowing, the seed may be got in while the 

 weather remains good, while by the slower operation of 

 drilling the opportunity of fine weather may be lost. The 

 great objections to broadcasting are the great quantity ot 

 seed it involves, and the encouragement given to the growth 

 of weeds. These are both obviated, at least to a consider- 

 able extent, by the drilling system, the quantity of seed 

 being less, while the spaces between the drills enable the 

 hoe hand or horse to be worked in spring. The 

 quantity of seed can also be regulated by the drill to the 

 greatest nicety. An objection to the drilling system has 

 been made, and doubtless in some districts truly obtains, 

 namely, that in consequence of a loose, continuous furrow 

 being made from one end of the drill to the other, the ravages 

 of the wire-worm are aided. This can be avoided, however, 

 by running a Crosskill roller across the line of the drills, 

 thus breaking up each drill into short spaces. The great 

 point is to stop the continuity of the path of the wire-worm 

 and to force it to come up to the surface at each plant 

 rather than move from plant to plant. " Dibbling " is 

 just as much in advance of drilling as drilling is in advance 

 of broadcasting, so far as the saving of seed is concerned 

 and the capability of keeping the growing plants clean and 

 free from weeds. Taking a review of the circumstances 

 attendant upon the growth of the wheat plant, there can 

 be no doubt that the mode of sowing which dibbling pre- 

 sents to us does indubitably enable this growth to be best 



