228 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



corn, (grain,) or other seed, at a time. The apparatus for forming 

 the drills consists of six pressing wheels, immediately followed 

 by as many narrow boxes or shares, which maintain the little 

 trenches clean and open, and each trench perfectly distinct, until 

 the seed falls into them. Through these shares, the seed is con 

 ducted by small tubes from the seed-box or hopper above them ; 

 and immediately behind the shares is placed a peculiarly-simple 

 and effective kind of hoe, for covering the seed. The seed is 

 received upon sliders resting upon the bottom of the hopper, 

 and furnished with proper recipient holes, the size of which 

 determines the number of seeds desired to be planted. Means 

 are provided for striking off excess ; and it was found, on re 

 peated trials, that no greater difference took place, in the number 

 of seeds deposited, than was fairly attributable to the difference 

 in the magnitude of the corns. The entire apparatus is readily 

 raised out of the ground at headlands, or when turning. If the 

 preparation of a firm seed-bed be a good principle, this machine 

 effects it as well as any presser ; pressing and drilling six rows 

 at once, with an adjustment for shifting the width of the rows 

 from five to any other number of inches apart desirable for 

 grain; and it either distributes the seed in a train or drops it 

 within a small compass.&quot; * 



Such a machine as this would seem to meet its objects per 

 fectly : but there are many others, which claim for themselves 

 equal advantages. It would be idle to attempt to enumerate 

 the various forms of drill machines which I have seen at work 

 in the country, and to the value of which I can bear a strong 

 testimony, not so much from an inspection of the construction 

 of the machine as the excellent manner in which, so frequently, 

 the work appears to be executed. The practice of drilling wheat 

 is in my opinion greatly to be preferred to that of sowing wheat 

 broadcast ; first, in the much more equal distribution of the seed ; 

 next, in the better opportunity which the wheat has of spreading 

 or tillering ; and thirdly, in the opportunity of clearing and culti 

 vating the crop, which latter is of great importance. I am of 

 an opinion, borne out very strongly by facts which have come 

 under my observation, that wheat in the early periods of its 

 growth is as much benefited by cultivation as any plant which 



* Report of Committee on Implements, at Shrewsbury, 1845. 



