168 



SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



fan-shaped spouts that distribute it evenly over the ground. The wheel- 

 barrow seeder used for grasses and clovers has the same arrangement, but 

 is usually without the vibrating board or spouts. 



Seeders of the same form, provided with a force feed, are most satis- 

 factory. The force feed can be set to seed at any desired rate and makes 

 uniformity reasonably certain. 



Broadcast seeders are sometimes attached to disk harrows. The 

 seed may be sown either in front of or behind the disks. In cne case it 

 will be rather deeply covered; in the other it will lie on top of the ground 

 and the disk must be followed with a harrow to cover the seed. 



Grain drills came into use to some extent in England soon after 

 1731, at which time Jethro Tull advocated a system of seeding and tillage 



called " Horse Hoeing 

 Husbandry." In the 

 United States drills 

 worthy of mention 

 were not perfected 

 until after 1840. 

 Drills are more expen- 

 sive than seeders, are 

 heavier of draft and 

 seed more slowly. As 

 they have become per- 

 fected they have dis- 

 placed broadcast 

 seeders to a large 

 extent. The chief ad- 

 vantage lies in a uni- 

 form depth of planting 

 that may be controlled 

 to suit the kind of seed 



and the condition of the soil. This insures more perfect germination and 

 requires less seed than when broadcasted. Nearly all wheat is now drilled, 

 and the best farmers also drill oats, rye and barley. Even alfalfa and the 

 clovers are now being drilled with good results. 



There are now several forms of furrow openers for drills. The hoe 

 drill was the first to be developed. It has good penetration and works 

 well on clean land, but clogs badly in trash. The shoe drill was next 

 to be developed, but has not been so extensively used as the hoe. Disk 

 furrow openers are of more recent use and both single and double disks 

 are used. They are especially good in trashy ground. Press wheels are 

 sometimes provided to follow the disks and compact the soil over the 

 $eed. Covering chains are also used, their sole purpose being to insure 

 covering all of the seed. The several forms of furrow openers are provided 



1 Courtesy of Lowery's Summer School Report. 



A WHEELBARROW SEEDER IN OPERATION. x 

 An even distribution of grass seed is secured by its use. 



