Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/207

Rh the plough to which it is fixed, does not exceed three guineas.

The last of these various contrivances, of which we shall take notice, is the Drill and Hoe-Plough, invented a few years since by a Mr., of which an engraving is given in the 60th vol. of the ''Gent. Magazine'', for 1790; where its principles and mechanism are described.—This machine is so constructed that, by means of a handle, the man employed has power to hold or guide it in a strait direction, without any attention to the going of the horse being requisite, farther than is rendered necessary in a common plough: and, whether the implement be drawn up, or down a hill, or horizontally, it deposits the corn with equal regularity, and at any given depth; so that none of the seed will be buried too deeply in the earth, or exposed to perish on the surface. Thus, it is asserted, one-third of the usual quantity of seed may, in general, be saved; and, in some cases, more than one-half.

The wheels on which Mr. 's plough moves, are half a rod in circumference; and, by computing their revolutions, when they have once passed over the field, the portion of seed sown may be ascertained, if the machine be supplied with a certain quantity. The number of acres that can thus be drilled in one day, depends on the distance at which the rows of corn are set. Stones, it is said, are no obstruction to the drilling of corn, by means of this implement; provided they be not too large to pass between the fines, or tubes, which deliver the seed to the ground.

The plough here alluded to, may be used for sowing every kind of grain, or seeds, not only with facility and regularity, but also without bruising them; and, as soon as the crop grows up, it may be employed with equal advantage as a horse-hoe. Its construction is stated to be so simple, that in half an hour a common ploughman may be made to comprehend its movements, sufficiently to be entrusted with it for the whole season. On level soils, one horse, in general, will be fully competent to draw it; but, in ascending steep hills, or on very stiff land, two will become necessary.—The price of this expensive implement, we understand, is about 14 guineas.

For a more particular account of the drilling system, we must refer our readers to Mr. 's "Theory and Practice of Drill-Husbandry," (4to. 18s.) published a few years since, in which the matter is fully investigated, and the advantages and disadvantages are fairly appreciated. But those, who wish to acquire only a general knowledge of this important practice, we advise to peruse the Rev. Mr. 's pamphlet (12mo. price 6d.) entitled, "Drill-Husbandry perfected."

Before we conclude this highly important subject, it will be useful to state the extraordinary national saving that would arise from a general introduction of the drill-husbandry. Indeed, the patriotic Lord, late President of the Board of Agriculture, whose exertions in promoting that beneficial science, must endear him to every friend of his country, has already anticipated our calculations. Though bred to the broad-cast method, which he till lately followed, that enlightened Nobleman has, in the Appendix to his interesting work, entitled "The System