^00 



GENESEE FARMER. 



Aug. 



_t4^ 



SMITH'S PATENT LEVER DRILL OR GRAIN PLANTER, 



The above figure represents a Lever Grain 

 Drill invented by Mr. H. W. Smith, of Penn- 

 sylvania. It was patented in November, 1846. 

 We extract the following description from a 

 communication written by the proprietor and 

 manufacturer of the machine, and published in 

 the volume of Transactions for 1847 : — 



This Drill has some new mechanical principles, or 

 combinations of principles not before in use. The wheels 

 are of new and simple construction. The axles of cast 

 iron, extending half the width of the machine, with a 

 flange some six inches in diameter on t!:e end, which, 

 with a cast iron plate of the same dimensions screwed on 

 the wheels, retains the spokes and forms the hub. These 

 wheels and axles may be adapted to carriages, wagons. 

 &c. On the axles are cast also the cylinders, three on 

 each, iri which indentations or holes are drilled to carry 

 the grain through the valves out of the hopper, a box 

 extending the width of the machine into tubes through 

 which it is deposited in the furrow. It has a lever by 

 which all the teeth can be lifted out of the ground for the 

 purpose of turning in the field, or passing over a rock, or 

 packing to remove to and from the field by a single opera- 

 tion, and two others to close the valves and shut off the 

 feed at the same time. 



It has a graduated index, by which it can be set to pass 

 any given quantity of seed per acre, or altered from one 

 quantity to another in a few seconds. This cannot be done 

 by any other machine, so as to insure uniformity and certainty, 

 teilhout some matheniatical calculation, and much time in test- 

 ing its accuracy. The teeth are long to prevent clogging, 

 and can be easily cleared by the operator in case they 

 shotild gather grass, &,c. They are bent something like 

 cultivator teeth, and are made to cut a furrow three inches 

 wide at the bottom, where the seed is deposited at any re- 

 quired depth through the tubes which are fastened to the 

 back of the teeth, six in number, and the furrows are cut 

 nine inches from center to center ; the depth can be ad- 

 justed by a regulator, in which the end of the pole is 

 inserted. After the seed is deposited, the earth falls back 

 aad covers it. 



The operation of this machine, after the seed is planted, 

 leaves a slight furrow, the sides of which are abraded by 

 the action of every shower, and a portion of the soil is 

 periodically carried on and around the roots of the grain, 

 covering them a little more, and thus by a course of natural 

 cultivation the surface is kept new, no incrustation takes 

 place to retard the growth of the young and tender plant. 



atmosphere and gasses readily permeate the soil, and the 

 continued accumulation of earth on the roots, prevents de- 

 struction, or heaving out by frost. 



With this machine, a boy and a pair of horses, ten acres 

 per day are readily planted, and five pecks of seed are 

 equivalent to two bushels per acre sown broadcast. 



The Drill is manufactured by Mr. C. Masten 

 of Syracuse, N. Y. See advertisement in this 

 number of the Farmer. 



Wash for Buildings, — The following recipe 

 was sent by a gentleman of New Orleans to his 

 friend in Philadelphia, who writes that the wash 

 was satisfactorily tested upon the roof of the 

 Phoenix Foundry, in that neighborhood. It is 

 not only a protection against fire, 'but renders 

 brick work impervious to water. The basis is 

 lime, which must first be slacked with hot water 

 in a tub, to keep in the steam. It should then be 

 passed, while in a semi-fluid state, through a fine 

 seive. Take six quarts of the fine lime, and one 

 quart of clean rock salt for each gallon of water 

 — the salt to be dissolved by boiling, and the im- 

 purities to be skimmed off) To five gallons of 

 this mixture, (salt and lime,) add one pound of 

 alum, half a pound of copperas, three-fourths of a 

 pound of potash, (the last to be added grad- 

 ually,) four quarts of fine sand, or hard wood 

 ashes. Add coloring matter to suit the fancy. 



It should be applied with a brush. It looks as 

 well as paint, and is as lasting as slate. It stops 

 small leaks, prevents moss from growing, and 

 renders the work incombustible. — N. Y. Farmer 



Glass Milk Pans are coming into general 

 use in England, and are advertised at 2*. each, 

 when 12 inches in diameter, and 6«. when 26 

 inches in diameter. 



