What was a dibble stick?

Answer 1

A pointed tool used to make holes in the soil for seeds, bulbs, or young plants. Small "seedlings should only be handled by the leaves, and a dibble stick, because any damage to the stem will be fatal, whereas the plant will always grow new leaves. You can make dibble sticks by cutting a small V notch in the end of a popsickle stick. The notch is used to support the seedling as it is moved from the tray to the pot, as well as a Poker to punch a hole into the soil to set the new plant in." Source: The Garden Helper. "Growing Chrysanthemums as a School Project" at http://www.thegardenhelper.com/mumseeds.html