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THE YEAR-BOOK OF AGRICULTUBi:. 



The object of this improvement is to create a soft bed for the reception of the seed in the 

 earth, ■without the disadvantage attending the open furrow made when the soil is thrown out, 

 and the frequent deposition of the seed on a hard soil or bed, and, of course, disadvantageous^ 

 to its growth ; also, to obviate a difficult}' in planting corn on a hill-side, wherein the open fur- 

 row made is liable to create a wash of the laud in heavy rains, occurring soon after planting, 

 which frequently renders replanting necessary, besides the loss of soil where most Deeded. 

 Bv this improvement, all the properties of a light bed and retention of the fertilizing pro- 

 the manure is obtained, particularly where such a< guano or other volatile manuri 

 i. :is it is not thrown to the surface, as would be the case if the ordinary tine or small 

 mould-board planter were used. 



Various Recent Improvements in the Construction of Plows. 



WGliame't /.• Pic ■■•. — This improved plow, the invention of Mr. Williams, of England, is 

 built on an open rectangular frame, supported by two fixed front wheels and a rear swivel- 

 ling ^jhecl ; on each end of the frame are vertical guides to receive t' of a set of lever- 

 (rhich have attached to then whatever plows or cultivators may lie desired. Pro- 

 vision is made for altering the depth of the plow's penetration, by means of chains attached 

 t the lever-beams, and passing over bearing pulleys, and thenoe to a Lever-handle at the 

 • the plow. By turning this handle, the plowman can give any required depth of cut, 

 or he can take the cultivating parti clear out of the ground. A (rout frame-piece, to which 

 chain-pulleys are attached, has a cross transverse action, so as to give the cultivators a 

 ] -.'■• r of deviating from the Btraight line of working, 



: ■■■nil and Trench Plow. — At the recent exhibition of implements ly the Royal Agri- 

 cultural Society, at Carlisle, England, a silver medal was awarded fox ■ new subsoil 

 •h plow, invented by Cotgroave. Ibis implement combines the common plow, treneb plow, 

 subsoil plow in one, and is capable of tilling the land to any required depth from ten to 

 eighteen Inches. To the beam of the plow is attached ■ foot for regulating the width and depth 

 the furrow-, to which are affixed revolving discs, acting both as coulters and wheels; this 

 ' wed by the part resembling the common plow, to be again succeeded by the trench 

 r, which brings the soil ap an inolined plane to the surface; lastly, the sub nies 



■ operation, pulverising the subsoil the required depth. It is worked by four bom 

 I don with this plow, there was exhibited ■ now subsoiler, Invented by Lord Bests- 



clerc. ] rred by means of a so-called Archimedean screw; it i- ■ revolving 



iron sh . I in length, ou which are spirally arranged a number of stout spikes; 



