On Rape-dust. 
189 
evident throughout the summer. Another instance of the supe- 
riority of the same system may be seen in a field cultivated by- 
Mr. Gaunt, of Ingmanthorpe, where a portion was left un- 
drilled. 
Several other instances of the same sort we have not failed to 
note. 
But there is no necessity for individual cases to be stated. 
The practice of the first agriculturists of every nation, the plains 
of Nottinghamshire, the Wolds of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, 
and hundreds of acres at our own doors, are proofs sufficiently 
strong of the truth of our reasoning, and of the justice of our con- 
clusion in favour of the drill method of using rape-dust. 
Let it not, however, be forgotten that " to every rule there is 
an exception ;" hence, though we contend for the drill method as 
a system, there are cases in which its use would be injudicious. 
Thus, upon stiff soils, in wet weather, it would not do to use the 
drill, as the treading of the horses has in such cases an extremely 
evil effect. The adhesive nature of the soil, in such condition, 
also prevents the machine from doing its work properly. Upon 
clover stubble, or light soils, 'pressing is attended with advantage, 
as it gives to the root of the plant a firm sole^ and affords it a 
better mechanical support against the storms of winter. 
Ribbing, too, is a method which answers very well in certain 
cases. Its trouble and expense, however, do not allow it to be 
adopted as a system. In cases where it is intended to apply a 
large q^iantity of rape-dust I would recommend its use ; as the 
tillage and seed are spread over a broader surface than by drilling. 
There is, therefore, no danger of the fermentation of tiie manure 
injuring the germ of the seed. Ribbing and pressing can neither 
be considered of the broad-cast nor drill system. I hey may be 
termed broad-cast, inasmuch as the seed is sown from the hand, 
and of the drill method, inasmuch as it is placed in rows or 
drills — an open seam or furrow being made in both cases, into 
which the seed and manure fall.* 
Dibbling is attended with some advantages — seed and manure 
are economized ; but labour is increased. Upon light soils, when 
seasons are favourable, and a farmer has plenty of labourers, and 
but a small breadth of land to sow, it will answer very well. 
Upon many soils, however, the pressure of the feet is injurious ; 
* Ribbing upon very light soils gives the wheat plant a firm seed- 
bed. In this point it has an advantage over the drill. As a system, 
however, it labours under the disadvantage of being more expensive, 
more tedious, less economical, and less regular in the application of 
§eed and tillage than tlie drill. As an adjunct to the drill system, to be 
used in the particular cases mentioned, the ntethod of ribbiny cannot be 
too highly appreciated. — The Author. 
