H0CKINGS' GARDEN MANUAL. 



141 



wide, along which a man called a dibbler, with two 

 setting irons, somewhat bigger than ramrods, but con- 

 siderably thicker at the lower end, and pointed at the 

 extremity, steps backwards along the turf, making 

 holes about four inches asunder every way, an inch 

 deep ; into these holes the droppers (generally boys) 

 drop two grains of wheat, which are quite sufficient. 

 After this, a gate, bushed with thorns, is drawn by one 

 horse over the land to close up the holes. Seed — three 

 pecks per acre." — Young. 



Weeding should be attended to, so that the young 

 plants be not choked. 



If the land is sown broadcast, from one to two 

 bushels of seed will be required, according to the soil. 



Sowings maybe made during March, April, and May. 

 The crop should be cut when thoroughly mature, but 

 before it is quite ripe, as the grain is a better color, and 

 it saves waste by scattering. 



Salt is a good special manure for wheat, and is a 

 preventative of rust. 



THE POTATO. 



The potato is propagated by the tuber, either whole 

 or cut into " sets" with an eye to each; since the great 

 failure, however, many intelligent growers have devoted 

 attention to raising new varieties from seed contained 

 in the berry or potato apple, and valuable results have 

 followed their efforts in the introduction of some new 

 sorts, said to be free from the disease, hardy, early, 

 floury, and productive. This is an object well worth 

 the attention of Queensland farmers, as we are not yet 

 possessed of an acclimatised variety of this valuable 

 root. The apples are produced more abundantly in the 

 spring than in the late crops ; they should only be 

 saved from potatoes of the best quality, and as they 

 sport into innumerable varieties, each root should be 



