1 * 2 0 *
50
fig. 7, which is extremely simple in its construction, and answersall the purposes of a hand-hoe in a very superior manner, parti-cularly the clearing from weeds and loosening the soil in the in-termediate spaces of pulse or grain which has been sown in equi-distant rows, and at the same time for earthing up the plants. Itconsists of two principal parts; the first a beam of wood, havingat its fore-end a semicircle forming two handles, between whichone man walks, and draws the instrument forwards: this beam atthe other end is divided, and moves on two small gudgeons, bywhich it is accommodated to the height of the hands of theperson drawing, and room allowed for a wheel to move in. Theother beam is held at its further end by another man, who guidesthe instrument and regulates its depth in the ground, at the sametime that he assists its action by thrusting it forwards. This beamis also divided at its fore-end, so as to admit a wheel to run be-tween the sides, which wheel serves to adjust the depth and easethe draught in working. The hoes are made of cast iron, andfixed in a mortise, in the hinder beam, by a proper wedge, andmay be made of different forms or dimensions, as the work to beperformed may require. Another implement upon a new princi-ple was invented by Mr. John Horn, of Dover, and by him de-nominated an “ Universal bowing Machine,for Drilling or Broad-casting for which he obtained a patent, about the year 1785. Itis so constructed that, whether worked by the hand, drawn by ahorse, or fixed to and used with a plough, it is not liable to be putout ot order ; there being but one movement to direct the whole.It sows every kind of grain with equal ease and regularity, so thattile quantity sown may be varied at pleasure, and in any degree.A correspondent in the 12th vol. of “ Annals of Agriculture,” p.481, states, that Mr. Horn’s invention possesses the peculiar advan-tage of cultivating turnips, so as to e.nsure the crop against the ra-vages of the fly. By sowing the usual quantity of turnip-seedbroad-cast by the machine, and at the same time striking furrowsat proper distances in the land, part is deposited in the drills, andthe rest sown broad-cast between them ; so that, if the season bedry, it will be favourable to the drills, and, if wet, to that which isbroad-cast. And, if it happen that the latter he injured by the de-predations of the fly, the former, by coming at a later period, issaved; or, if the former be destroyed, |the latter is preserved. Ifthe whole thrive, the farmer has the choice of selecting the mostvigorous plants from both. This machine is represented in PlateXC. fig. 10. The machine fixed to a plough. A, the machine.-B, the apron upon which the seed falls and rebounds upon the land,in broad-casting. C, lid to cover the hopper. D, wheel at theheel of the plough. E, strap. FF, hooks, upon which the apronturns by a pivot on each side. G, stay, to keep the machineSteady. Ii, lever, to prevent it from sowing.
Fig. 11. The same machine, with the front laid open to shewthe inside. A, the catch-wheel fixed upon the axle. BB, theaxle upon which the machine hangs between the handles of theplough. C, the pulley, by which the strap from the wheel at theheel of the plough turns the catch-wheel. 1), the bar, upon whichtlie upper spout rests, suspended by the diagonal-supporters EE,bearing against the catch-wheel by the trigger F, and thereby keptin motion while the plough is going. G, the apron in a slopingposition, upon which the corn or seed falls from the upper spout,and is scattered by rebounding upon the land. It turns upon pi-vots, and thus throws the seed either towards the right hand orleft at pleasure.
Fig. 12. The long spout to be applied when the machine isused for drilling.
Fig. 13. Is the same machine with that in fig. 10, A, B, G, H,C, &c. The dotted lines express the situation of the long spout,when the apron is removed, and the machine adapted for drilling.F'or a more particular account, we refer the reader to a treatise onthe subject, published by the inventor (8vo. 6d. Johnson, 1786,)entitled, ‘‘ Description and Use of the Universal Sowing Ma-chine for Drilling and Broad-casting.”
The Rev. T. C. Munnings’s drill for turnips, which is repre-sented in Plate XCI. fig. 8. A, the wheel with an iron rim. B,t’ne tin-barrel, or seed-box, which is fixed to the axis of suchwheel. C, the opening, through which the seed is introduced intothe box ; and which is afterwards closed by a cover. D, a semi-circular plate of tin, the design of which is to exclude all impuri-ties from the seed-box.*' E, E, the two bandies of the machine.
Mr. Mminings considers his drill for turnips, as much superior toany other, from the single circumstance of its depositing the seedso instantly after the plough, as entirely to preserve the good ef»fects of the first evaporation : and he conceives, that such evapo-ration contributes to the uniform vegetation of minute seeds.Thus, in the six acres of his drilled plants, there was not a defi-ciency of six square yards ; though, on three acres of broad-cast,before rain fell, not one-half, perhaps not one-third, of the seedsvegetated. He is fully persuaded, that the drill-method, in thecultivation of turnips, will, in all seasons, be superior to the broad-cast ; but, that the very great and striking difference between thetwo methods, will most effectually be perceived in a season of urn-common drought.
Of the Cultivation of particular. Plants.
The grand object of a farm is, that of raising plants for thenourishment of man and other animals. Of these, wheat is ofthe first importance. Any time from the middle of April to themiddle of May, the following for wheat may commence. Themoment should be chosen, when the ground, beginning to dry, hasyet some remaining softness: in that condition, the soil divideseasily by the plough, and falls into small parts. This merits thastrictest attention of the farmer. Ground plowed too wet, rises,as is said, whole fur, as when pasture-ground is plowed : whereplowed too dry, it rises in great lumps, which are not reduced bysubsequent plowings; it also requires double force to plow groundtoo dry, and the plough is often broken to pieces. When theground is in proper order, the farmer ought not to lose a moment.A sandy soil is too loose for wheat. The best chance for a cropis after red clover, the roots of which bind tlte soil. Rye is a cropmuch fitter for sandy soil than wheat; and like wheat, it is gene-rally sown after a summer-fallow. Sow wheat as soon in Octoberas the ground is ready. When sown a month more early, it is tooforward in spring, and apt to be hurt by frost; when sow n a monthlater, it has not t me to root before the frost comes on, and frostspews it out of the ground.
Setting of Wheat is a method which is reckoned one ofthe greatest improvements in husbandry that was made last cen-tury. It seems to have been first suggested by planting grains ina garden from mere curiosity, by persons who bad 119 opportunityof extending it to a lucrative purpose. This was first attemptedon a larger scale, bv a little farmer near Norwich. And a fewyears after by one of the largest occupiers of lands in Norfolk , whoset 57 acres in one year. Ilis success, from the visible superiorityof bis crop, both in quantity and quality, was so great, that the fol-lowing autumn he set 300 acres, and lias continued the practiceever since. This noble experiment established the practice, andwas the means of introducing it generally among the intelligentfarmers in a very large district of land ; there being few who 110Wsow any wheat, if they can procure hands to set it. It has beengenerally observed, that although the set crops appear very thinduring the autumn and w inter, the plants tiller and spread prodi-giously in the spring. Tlte ears are indisputably larger, withoutdwarfish or small corn ; tlte grain is of a larger bulk, and specifi*cally heavier per bushel than when sown. The lands on whichthis method is particularly prosperous, are either after a clove*stubble, or on which trefoil and grass-seed were sown the springbefore the last. These grounds, after the usual manuring, are one*turned over by the plough in an extended Bag or turf, at tenincites wide ; along which a man, who is called a dibbler, with twosetting irons somewhat bigger than ram-rods, but considerably big'ger at the lower end, and pointed at the extremity, steps backward 5along the turf, and makes the holes about four inches asunder ever)'way, and one deep. Into these holes the droppers (women, boySfand girls,) drop two grains, which is quite sufficient. After thina gate bushed with thorns is drawn by one horse over the land, anycloses up the holes. By this mode, three pecks of grain is sut*ficient for an acre ; and being immediately buried, it is equally,removed from vermin or tbe power of frost. The regularity olits rising g'ives the best opportunity of keeping it clear from weedbby- weeding or hand-hoeing. Setting of wheal is a method pecU"liarly beneficial when corn is dear; and, if the season be favotft'able, may be practised with great benefit to the farmer. S*Thomas Beevor of Hethel-llall in Norfolk , found the producebe two bushels per acre more than from the wheat which 15