Dibbling
The process of planting with a Dibber. Its chief advantages lie in economising the plants, and rendering thinning almost unnecessary. Seedlings growing closely together should be dibbled out temporarily, until sufficiently strong for placing in permanent quarters by the same method. Dibbling has some disadvantages, the roots often being placed straight down instead of in the natural way in which they grow. It is, however, an expeditious mode, much practised with fast-growing plants that soon form new roots. The process is shown in the accompanying engravings, where a represents the position of the Dibber for pressing the soil against the roots; b, its position when this is completed; and c, the Dibber removed, leaving the hole for watering. The next illustration (d) shows a more careful way of planting, on a small scale, by making a hole with a Dibber, afterwards arranging the roots and filling in by hand. A long Dibber is often used for planting Potatoes; it is large enough to make a hole for the set to drop in, and has a cross handle, for the use of both hands, and a projecting piece of iron or wood which serves the double purpose of forming a tread and insuring an equal depth to all the holes made. For inserting cuttings or young plants, small tapering pieces of wood are employed.