Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-08-27
From the american Farmer.
PRIZE EESSAY,

ba,adry oUer the old system, Ito which the Pre-
miiums Of the Maryland State agricultural
Society sOas awarded) By EDWARD SrABLER,
Of Montgomery Co. Md.
CONCLUDED.
1t may however not be amiss to state, that all,
so far as my knowledge extends, who have given
the Drill culture fair trial, are more than willing
to continue its use by hiring the work at so cents
per acre, if they have not the money to spare to
purchase one for themselves being satisfied as be-
fore stated that the saving in seed alone will full
" pay for the use of drill. Without giving
ames,-though | am quite willing to vouch for
the high standing and respectability Of the par
ties, knowing them personally, and having ex-
amined the crops on the ground-I will refer
particularly to two cases. one to test the increase,
Side by side with drilling and broadcast sowing;
and the other on an extended scale with the drill
after testing the relative merits of both modes.
The first was the least increase ascertained in
any case, and was on
IA acres broadcast, 1-2 bushels seed yield
43b. and % pounds;
IA acres drilled adjoining, ID. 1-2pecks seed,
yield 44b. 43 pounds;
or increase per acre, including the savingin seed,
nearly 1-2 bushels a less increase | am incli-
ned to believe than will generally be obtained on
land less fertile. The other case was field of
one hundred acres, fallowed. and literally lined
just before seeding, and drilled with l l2 BUSH
els of seed to the acre. the actual yield was thir-
ty six hundred and fifty bushels, an average of
36 l-2 bushels. Two acres, as am informed
by the owner, were measured off, and ninety-siX
bushels of clean wheat obtained theresrom. Nor
was SO 1-2 bushels considered fair average
but for a tornado that blew down and scattered
nearly the whole crop,-leaving only II or Is
standing out of 1900 shocks or hand stacks, the
yield of this field would most probably have been
full 40 bushels to the acre; there were 1900
shocks on the one hundred acres and bnt for
the cause alluded to, it was believed would have
averaged 1-2 bushels each. In extent and
quality together, it was the finest field of wheat
ever saw. A portion Of this ground was seed
ed broadcast in order to test the relative yield;
but from the casualty referred to, and the mixing
of the shocks, it could not be done accurately =
with the same quantity and adjoining lands or
beds, and equal measure Of seed, however, twas
by the increased number of shocks
and better filed heads that the increase by drill
ing was not less than from 8 to 10 BusneS 10
the acre. But say FIVE bushels increase; and
we have 500 bushels gain, and in portion on
ly of single crop.%
Others have stated their increase by drilling,
at three to five bushels per acre, and two at q
and I bushels, estimated by the increased num-
Der of shocks. Reference could also be made to
well authenticated experiments where the IN
crease by drilling, carefully compared side by
side with broadcast sowing. was seven and eight
bushels and in one case well attested, 1t was
equal to nine bushels to the acre these however,
are considerably above the average increase.
An incident came to my knowledge, so germalne
to the subject, and 50 well vouched for, that |
ri1e it full crcdencc. A vcnder offered drill tor
the increase in a crop of fifty acres OF wheat -
the grower to determine this to his own salts
faction, by seeding portions through the field
broadcast. Before harvest however, he agreed
to pay one hundred dollars. the price of the
drill, with interest, having that privilege. q!
carefully ascertanng the increase, it was found
to be one hundred and tittythree bushels
1t is not worth the time and paper to offer
testimony to those who are well informed on the
subject, and have used good drills they do not
require it but to the inexperienced it may be
desirable to have more light thrown on the sub
icct and to such now address myself
The best implement for any purpose, is gene
rally the cheapest in the end and Of all Agri-
cultural implemements, the best Drill, is unqucs-
tionably the cheapest. 1t is "pcnny wise and
pound foolish" policy, to purchase drill merely
because it can be had at a low price. If it per-
forms impertcctly, it may prove dear at ypricc,
and is not worth having; as it is sure to lead to
disappointment, and may occasion more loss in
single CROP than would pay the difference
if not the full price Of an efficient and first rate
article. I gave 500 for drill last season, i'll
preference to others offered at about half price;
and the saving in my own crop in the seed and
increased product, and also by drilling for sovc-
raj of my neighbours, nearly or quite repaid me
the cost to say nothing of the cconomyof time
and labour in seeding, and the satisfaction Of
having the work done in a complete and work
manke manner having indeed, rarely cxpcnd
ed the same amount of money with more salts
faction. I would not, however, be understood
as intending to convey the opinion, that al cffi-
cient drill cannot be made at much less price.
Increased demand will cheaper productions as
by cnsting more inventive genius any skill in
the manufacture. If not now attained, as
believe it is, good drill and sufficient for all
practical purposes, will be furnished at about
half the sum.
As general rule, whenever the land is in pro-
pcr order to seed and cover with the harrow, it