Object number
54/361
Creator
Description
This dibble, a tool used for making holes in the ground for seeds, is thought to date from about 1800. It was made and used in Gravenhurst, Bedfordshire, for planting corn after ploughing clover leys. A man would walk backwards with one in each hand making holes into which somebody else dropped the seeds. It is made of iron with a fairly heavy solid point, and a wooden handle.
Physical description
1 dibble: metal (iron); wood
Label Text
Dibble. This dibble was probably made in the Gravenhurst area and used there for around 150 years, before being deposited at the museum in 1954. Dibbles were utilised by farmers hand sowing their seeds to ensure the seeds were properly covered by soil. The usual practice was for the farmer to walk through a ploughed field with a dibble in each hand, making holes to the left and right. A child would follow, placing seeds in the holes and covering them with soil. Dibbling was popular in the 19th century as it provided employment for children from large families. These children were otherwise in danger of ending up in workhouses.3. Seed Dibble. A dibble was used to make an impression in the soil into which seed could then be dropped by hand. Such a laborious process was only really suited to small plots of land but it meant that the seed could be planted in fairly straight rows and evenly spaced to make subsequent weeding much easier. A common method of using the dibble was to have one in each hand and walk backwards across the soil making a double row of holes. Someone else, perhaps a child, could follow on behind dropping a few seeds into each hole and covering them over with soil. This one was used at Gravenhurst in Bedfordshire into the early twentieth century. 54/361.
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'Dibble // DATE ACQUIRED: May 1954 [...] // DESCRIPTION: Mr Salter obtained this dibble and No. 54/362 from Mr F. Anderson of [...] Gravenhurst, Beds. // Mr Anderson estimated that they were 150 years old. They were probably made locally and used in Gravenhurst by one John Dennis. Mr Anderson said that in the district they were often used after the plough on'Clover Leys', he had recently met an old man of 80 who could remember seeing old Stivey Day using the at Shilling Bury'. // The dibble is an iron one with a fairly heavy solid point. The wooden handle has a deep crack in it. It measures 31.5 inches in length. // See also 51/396 // 77 1/2cm in length.', MERL ‘Associated information’ form - '[Ink sketch] [page break] [...] // How was it used? // By walking backwards with one in each hand of a boy dropping seed in the holes // Any other information // These dibbers were used in the district after the plough on "Clover Leys" I came across an old man this week who is 80 years of age + he can remember seeing old Stivey Day using them at "Shilling Bury".'
Production place
Gravenhurst
Production date
1800 - 1800
Object name
Material
Associated subject
