x, c, 6 Rundles: Studies in Rice 359 
provided so that no covering process is required when the 
weather is wet. 
Drilling seeds in rows is not a common practice, but it is 
done to some extent. Among the Ilocanos and Pangasinans a 
hill method of sowing the seed bed is very commonly used. To 
perform the work most advantageously, three persons are often 
used — one to make holes, another to drop the seed, and a third 
to cover. The first person, walking backward, makes the holes 
with a sharpened, two-pronged stick. He can make six rows 
of holes as he goes. The hills are about 10 centimeters apart 
and 3 or 4 centimeters in depth and in diameter. From 6 to 20 
seeds are dropped in a hole and are covered by a third person — 
usually a woman, with her hand or foot. 
The following are the special methods of making nursery seed 
beds. They are not universally used. 
Palusot . — This method is described as used in Nueva Ecija 
and Bulacan Provinces. It calls for the preparation of the 
ground when under water or when saturated. The seed is 
germinated and scattered broadcast on the water or mud, where 
it settles more or less unevenly, most of the growth taking place 
in a muddy seed bed. The advantages claimed for this method 
are maximum germination and rapid growth, while the disad- 
vantages are uneven sowing due to the water and difficulty in 
separating the seedlings. 
Dapog . — This practice is described as used in Rizal Province. 
It is a unique method of growing seedlings upon a raft in a river. 
A bamboo frame is constructed in the form of a raft — split 
bamboo woven together forms the floor. Green algse and rotten 
compost are gathered from along the river and a layer of each 
is placed on the prepared frame to a depth of about 5 centimeters. 
The frame is placed in the river, ready for the seed which has 
previously been soaked about thirty-five hours. The seed is scat- 
tered on the prepared bed. Due to the abundant supply of 
moisture, growth is very rapid. Within from ten to fifteen days 
the seedlings will be about 15 centimeters in height and ready 
for use. They are cut and removed in blocks and floated on the 
raft to the transplanting ground. 
The following advantages are claimed for this method : Rapid 
growth, maximum percentage of germination, comparative free- 
dom from such damages as often occur when seed beds are on 
the land, and ease of transportation of seedlings. 
The disadvantages are: The work involved in preparation 
of raft, the necessity occasioned for transplanting seedlings 
