DRILL IMPLEMENTS, 



81 



Ch. VI.] 



appear in the drawing ; but when the machine is so light as to be drawn 

 by one horse, shafts are aflixed to its centre. 



The inside part of the machinery by which the quantity of seed is regu- 

 lated, consists of a small iron axle, which passes through the lower part of 

 the box, and is moved round by means of cogs connected with the wheels. 

 Upon the axle are fixed either small brass fluted cylinders, or else cups or 

 spoons, projecting more or less over the mouths of the funnels, so as to de- 

 liver a larger or smaller quantity of seed as may be required. For the smaller 

 seeds, teeth with stiff brushes, are placed at different distances from each 

 other, and can be moved upon the axle to wider or narrower intervals, so as to 

 suit those at which the drills are to be made, and as they revolve among 

 the seeds, a certain portion of them is forced through holes iu the bottom 

 of the seed-box, and thence through the funnels into the drills. The open- 

 ing into these tubes can be enlarged or diminished at pleasure by a sliding 

 plate fixed upon them by a screw for regulating the quantity of seed ; a 

 measure which, it may be observed, is sometimes necessary, when the land 

 varies considerably in quality, or in the inclination of the ground, and 

 therefore requires the management of a very careful and experienced work- 

 man. The annexed references, pointing to the various parts of the implement, 

 will afford a sufficient idea of its manner of work ; for, as it can only be con- 

 structed by a regular manufacturer, we think it unnecessary to give further 

 drawings of the machinery, and more minute descriptions may be found in 

 the works to which we refer at foot*. 



A The hopper for the reception of the seed, 



B A lever by which the hopper can be iuclined so as to increase or diminish the sup- 

 ply of seed. 



C The wheels and cups by which the seed is moved round and delivered into the 

 funnels. 



D The funnels for distributing the seed connected with the coulters for forming the 

 drills at different depths. 



E The weights which press upon the coulters. 



F The rack-wheel which regulates the pressure of the weights. 



G The winch by which the rack-wheel is turned. 



H Cogged wheels which act upon the rack-wheel and axle. 



* See an Essay on the Construction of the Plough, App. p. 30 ; Bailey's Survey of 

 Northumberland, p. 46 ; Brown uf Markle, Treat, on Rural Affairs, vol. i. chap. VI. 

 Sect. 5; and Low's Pract. Elem. of Agiic, p. 103. The foregoing contain descriptive 

 plates ; and in Rigby's Holkham there may be found various remarks on the manner of 

 working the drill, and some improvements on it made by Mr, Frost, of Saham, 

 p.8G. 



G 



