44 SKETCHES OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 



we have met with, is that given by Professor Low, who 

 describes it as generally consisting of a frame-work of 

 wood, placed upon two wheels, and supporting an oblong 

 box for seeds. 



From the axle of the wheels, motion is communi- 

 cated to a spindle or axle, K, which passes horizontally 

 through the lower part of the seed-box. Upon this axle 

 are fixed, at certain distances, a series of grooved or 

 fluted cylinders. There are openings near the bottom 

 of the box, and as each cylinder revolves amongst the 

 seeds, a certain portion is collected in the grooves at 

 each revolution, and is carried round and falls through 

 these openings. 



It then passes into tubes or funnels, i, by which 

 it is directly conveyed to the ground. Immediately 

 before the lower part of each funnel, is a sharp hollow 

 coulter of iron,/, which encloses the lower part of the 

 tube, and makes a rut in the ground, into which the 

 eed falls. The cylinders in the seed-box can be set at 

 any distance apart, to suit the particular seed which is 

 being sown, and the whole action can be stopped by 

 using the lever L. The coulters may also be set at 

 different depths, so as to make the rut shallow or deep. 

 These, with the tubes or funnels, are so contrived as to 

 be easily lifted up at the turnings of the ridges, or when 

 obstacles come in the way. This is effected by elevating 

 the handles A A. 



Numerous varieties of drill-machines are now made, 

 but, perhaps, one of the best is that known as the com- 

 mon lever or Suffolk drill. This is adapted for drilling 

 corn over either level ground or ridges, and on all de- 

 scriptions of soil. It is furnished with independent 

 levers, by which the coulters are each readily and sepa- 

 rately made to avoid any masses of stone or irregularity 

 of soil, and a press steel-yard to force the coulters, if 

 necessary, into the hard ground, with a varying degree 

 of pressure, according to the resistance to be overcome. 

 These coulters can be set so as to drill the corn at any 



