226 



SEEDING AND PLANTING 



poured into the steel tube and passes in correct amount for a 

 single seed spot into a sliding receptacle on the lower end just 

 above the rake. After the seed spot is prepared the forward 

 movement of a small rod attached to the side of the tube permits 

 the requisite amount of seed to fall out over 

 the spot. The advantages claimed for this 

 implement over the ordinary garden rake, 

 c ~.|f potato digger, and hoe are as follows: 



a. A large increase in the number of 

 seed spots that can be made and sown in 

 a given unit of time. 



b. The distribution of the same amount 

 of seed in each seed spot. 



From experiments conducted by Brower 

 on the Uinta National Forest he concludes 

 that it does better and less expensive work 

 than the ordinary rake or hoe. Perfectly 

 clean seed must be used in the seeder. 

 Foreign matter is likely to clog the seed 

 receptacle and prevent successful opera- 

 tion. Its chief defect appears to be in not 

 scattering the seed evenly over the seed 

 FIG. 42. The Eckbo seed spot. 



planter. ^phe au thor has found the Spitzenberg 



a. Hollow handle for loosening spade i a very efficient tool for 

 carrying the seed. , , . , . ... 



6. Sliding receptacle the thorough and deep loosening of the 



for measuring the seed. soil in the formation of seed spots. It is 



c. Rod for opening the heavy and slow in operation and has not 



sliding receptacle. been usec i i n the United States except for 



demonstration purposes. 



Several forms of the torsion rake are sometimes used abroad in 

 making small seed spots. 2 The torsion rake consists of an upright 

 T-handle, to the base of which is attached an iron disk carrying 

 8 or more teeth. The teeth are inserted vertically in the spot 

 selected for seeding and the soil loosened by turning the handle 

 to the right or left (Fig. 43). 



1 Spitzenberg, G. K.: Die Spitzenberg'schen Kulturgerathe. 2. Aufl., S. 

 13-24. Berlin, 1898. 



2 Heyer, Carl: Der Waldbau oder die Forstproduktenzucht. 5. Aufl., 

 I. Bd., S. 134. Leipzig, 1906. 



