REPORT OF THE FARMERS* CLUB. 43 



it by centrifugal force so as to cover a space many feet wide. 

 In this manner from four to eight acres may be sown per hour by 

 a single sower, and the seed is distributed with positive even- 

 ness. It may also be used for distributing guano, plaster, lime, 

 etc. The best wheat crop raised in the State of Illinois in 1859, 

 and which took the first i^remium at that fair, was sown with 

 this machine. It is claimed that it saves four-fifths of the labor 

 and time ; that it enables any one, however inexperienced, to sow 

 with regularity, and that, in consequence of the evenness with 

 which it distributes the seed, it causes a saving of from ono- 

 quarter to one-third of the grain ordinarily required. 



A larger kind of this machine is also exhibited to your com- 

 mittee, which is placed upon a wagon with a band or chain pass- 

 ing over a collar surrounding the hub of the wheel. This machine 

 is moved by the progression of the wagon, and is capable of sow- 

 ing ten to fifteen acres per hour. It is equally applicable to tho 

 sowing of wheat, rye, barley, oats, turnips, grasses, and all other 

 seeds requiring to be sown broadcast. It has taken the pre- 

 mium at many of the State fairs, and is highly recommended by 

 numbers of farmers who have used it. Your committee send 

 herewith a list of the testimonials furnished by the inventor. 

 Yoyr committee would recommend that the gold medal be award- 

 ed to this machine. 



Signed, SOLON ROBINSON, 



N. H. GALE, 



Committee. 



Keport on Halsted's Hand-garden Cultivator. 



The committee, to whom was referred A. M. Halsted's Hand- 

 garden Cultivator, respectfully report : 



This cultivator is intended to be worked by hand. It is very 

 simple in form, and, being made of iron and steel, is not liable to 

 get out of order. It has six cutters arranged on a movable frame. 

 These can be readily adjusted. 



This implement is well adapted to all articles cultivated in 

 rows or drills, and can be regulated to any desired width, from 

 eight to twenty-four inches, and to depths of one-quarter up to 

 two inches. It can be made to cultivate within one inch of the 

 row without disturbing the plants, or burying them, and leaves 

 the weeds on the surface of the ground. From the examination 



