AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINES. 403 
lated, to take more or less earth as required. The whole is supported 
by a triangular-shaped frame, to the forward part of which the shovel 
or scoop is attached, which rests on the ground, while the rear part is 
supported by the axletree and wheels before mentioned. Beneath and 
to the frame are attached three plows, placed in the form of a triangle, 
to be used when the machine is required as a planter. The forward 
plow opens the furrow for the reception of the seed, and the other two 
cover the furrow after the seed is dropped. The dropping mechanism 
is not described by the inventor, and the original papers were destroyed 
by fire when the United States Patent office was burned. While the prin- 
ciple above set forth has been generally followed in the construction of 
potato diggers, it is deemed proper to remark that in some machines a 
revolving disk has been substituted for the shovel or scoop and apron. 
These disks have been used in a variety of positions; as, for instance, being 
placed upon a longitudinal shaft revolving in the center of the frame 
and operated by suitable mechanism. In other machines the disk is 
placed upon a vertical shaft, and in others upon a shaft extending over 
the rear of the frame and inclined to the side of it at an angle of about 
45°, The general construction of these disks consists in a hoop placed 
upon the shaft conveying the power. To this hoop are bolted, or other- 
wise firmly secured, arms or tines, which are either curved, straight, or 
spiral, as desired, arranged to go beneath or through the hill or drill, 
according to the construction of the machine. Others have used a 
common shovel-plow, provided with handles and beam, with a rack 
pivoted to the rear of it. This rack is agitated by a wheel with pro- 
jecting arms, which strike a friction roller pivoted to the rack, thus giv- 
ing to the rack the necessary motion for separating the earth from the 
potatoes. ¢ 
As before remarked, none of these machines have been noted for suc- 
cess, and we instinctively ask, Why? Can it be that it is impossible to 
construct a successful potato-digger? We think not, but believe that 
one could be constructed upon the general principles already applied. It 
must be considered, however, that we have a treacherous soil to deal 
with, which, as it is agitated, divides itself into minute particles, and 
introduces itself into every opening of our mechanism with which it 
comes in contact, and serves to retard motion. Another fault is, that 
the earth is raised too high, which requires double the power that 
should be required to do the work. The potatoes must be raised, it is 
true, but the less we raise the earth the less power we require. 
Another useless expenditure of power is in driving ratchets and pawls 
and operating springs; and, still further, the general construction of the 
machine is too cumbersome, and we might add that in many instances 
the ground is not properly prepared before planting. 
STEAM PLOWING. 
This subject has been so fully discussed in the reports of the last three 
years that a few words will suffice to convey all the information in our 
possession upon the subject of recent attempts at improvements. For 
the last year but two applications for patents have been filed for steam 
plows, and these are based upon suggestions set forth in an article upon 
this subject in the report of 1867. These applications show that the 
subject has been considered in its proper light, and it is believed with 
results favorable to the final solution of this important question. But 
the problem is not yet fully solved. It requires time, the exercise of 
inventive genius, and a large outlay of capital, to finally settle the ques- 
