100 



THE YEAR-BOOK OF AGRICULTURE. 



and./??. 2 is a section of a side elevation. The same letters in the description refer to the 

 same parts. 



The cams are arranged on the axle, the markers on the periphery of the carrying-wheel, 

 and the valves at or near the bottoms of the seeding-tubes, with their several operative parts, 

 for the purpose of causing regularity in the marking and dropping of the seed, however 

 irregularly the motion or speed of the machine may be. 



A is the carrying-wheel upon which the machine is supported and drawn over the ground 

 to be planted ; B is the axle, fastened to th wheel, so as to move with it. The axle extends 

 out each side of the wheel a suitable distance, and is provided with cells at regular intervals, 

 which receive from the hopper and carry to the seeding-tubes the grains to be planted. 

 These cells are provided with screws, the heads of which fit the cells, so that by running in 

 or out of these the depth of the cell will be increased or diminished, so as to carry around 

 only the regulated quantity of grains to be planted. In planting check-rows, each alternate 

 screw is raised to the periphery of the axle, so as to pass through the hopper without receiv- 

 ing any grains therefrom. When drilling, all the screws are sunk, so that every cell shall 

 carry out its quota ; and in this case the valves in the tubes are hooked in the second or 

 lower hole, so as to remain all the time open. C represents one of the shafts ; they are 

 curved near enough together at their points to suit the working of the horse, while at the 

 axle, where the teeth or shoes are arranged, their width may conform to the distance between 

 the rows of corn. D is the seed-box, there being one on each side of the wheel or on each 

 end of the axle said hoppers diminishing in width from top to bottom, where they are open 

 to allow the grains to drop into the cells. E is a tooth or shovel there being one in advance 

 of each seeding-tube for opening up a furrow into which the corn is dropped, the earth 

 falling in over it when the machine passes, as in ordinary operations. The bottoms or lower 



