No. 63. J 307 



of rolling was to break down all the fine lumps of earth, and to ren- 

 der the surface compact and smooth, in which condition the operation 

 of planting, which was done with a machine, was more conveniently 

 and effectively performed. Besides I am satisfied, both from reason 

 and experience, that the 5z^r/ace being left compact and smooth, (pro- 

 vided the ground be dry at the time of rolling, and the roller light, so 

 its effect be not felt much below the surface,) is highly beneficial both 

 to the soil and the crop. 



The planting was done on the seventh of the sixth month, (June.) 

 It was performed, as I have already stated, with a drill barrow — a 

 machine of my own invention, to the use of which I attribute much 

 of my success in the cultivation of the beet crop. 



By this machine, the seed is dropped at any required distace asun- 

 der, from four inches to three feet, and deposited at any desired depth^ 

 the operator being also able, by regulating the " dropper," to deposit 

 very nearly a given number of seeds at a time. By the application 

 of a single principle in the construction of the ' coulter' and ' con- 

 ductor,' the operation of dropping and covering the seed is rendered 

 perfect to a degree not equaled by any other planter I have ever seen. 

 Every seed which passes out of the hopper, is conducted with infalli- 

 ble certainty to the drill made by the coulter, and safely deposited 

 at the bottom of it before a particle of earth can fall in and fill it up. 

 As the machine advances, the earth falls in behind the coulter and 

 fills the drill, and a wheel follows, pressing the soil upon the seed. 

 Planted with this machine, beet seed is quite as sure to vegetate as 

 corn. Every seed, capable of germination by any process, invariably 

 comes, and it all comes up at very nearly the same time, a circum- 

 stance of much importance, but which never follows hand planting or 

 that of any other machine which has come to my knowledge. And, 

 what may seem incredible, but which is nevertheless a fact, beet seed 

 planted with this machine, comes up in less than half the time usually 

 required for that planted by hand. I always plant my beet seed dry, 

 without any preparation, and it has never been longer than five days 

 in coming. By the way, I would remark that I plant all kinds of 

 garden seeds, and even corn, with this machine. 



In this instance, the seed was dropped at eight inches asunder in 

 the drills, and from three to four seeds in a place. The drills or rows 

 were about thirty inches apart. At the first weeding the plants were 

 thinned out so as to leave but two in a place, and at the second hoe- 

 ing, so as to leave but one. They were hoed three times — a horse 

 and corn harrow being used each time. 



The quantity of ground is just 40 square rods, or Jth acrej and the 

 whole expense and value of the crop is as follows: 



EXPENSES . 



To 4 loads straw manure, at 2^ ., $1 00 



To 3 do chip dirt, do ■ 75 



To 1 do hog-pen manure, at 45., 50 



Carried forward. $2 25 



