386 



SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part II. 



been added for that purpose. The seed and manure, when deposited in the gutter 



315 



traced by the coulters (c, c), is covered by two small flat rollers as in the common Nor- 

 thumberland drill, 



2557. The Northumberland one row turnip drill {Jig- 316.) has two wheels which run 



in the hollows on each side 

 of the drill or ridge to be 

 sown ; by which means the 

 sower is enabled to keep the 

 row exactly in the centre of 

 the drill. The ridges are 

 ' previously rolled, either by 



a common or concave roller ; 

 the latter being preferable, 

 and as the horse goes in the 

 furrow at one side of the 

 drill to be sown, of course 

 he draws from one side of 

 the draught-bar of the bar- 

 row. A small roller follows, 

 and covers and presses in the 

 seed. A recent improvement in this machine is the addition of a hopper {a), for pulverised 

 manure, over which, a barrel of water might easily be suspended if deemed requisite. 



2558. Of bean drills there are three kinds, all equally good : one for sowing in prepared 



drills or after the plough, which is 

 pushed by manual labor, and has been 

 already described f2469.) : one attach- 

 ed to a light plough, which draws a fur- 

 row in prepared soil and sows a row at 

 the same time (/g. 317.); and one 

 which can be fixed between the handles 

 of any common plough for the same 

 purpose. The former has a wheel (a) 

 to regulate the depth of the furrow, 



and a lever (b) to throw^he drill out of gear on turning at the ends of the ridges. 

 It is an useful and very effective implement; though a skilful ploughman will effect the 

 same object by a drill placed between the handles of a common swing plough. 



2559. Weir s expanding bean drill to sow four rows, is affixed to a pair of wheels and 

 axle, in the manner of Cooke's drill. The axle which passes through the drill boxes has 

 four moveable brushes and cylinders, by which means any widths, within that of the axle, 

 can be given. Where ground is prepared and ribbed, and where there is not a Cooke's 

 drill on the premises, this machine may be resorted to with convenience. 



