PLANTING 



103 



machines are stronger made than the lower-priced, 

 and, in some cases the fertilizer attachment is extra. 



The Robbins improved potato-planter (Fig. 28) is of 

 the platform type. The potatoes are elevated from the 

 hopper by means of a wheel, and are discharged onto a 

 platform which is cleared by several revolving arms 

 (Fig. 29); the mechanism is so timed that a potato 



FIG. 29 THE PLATFORM OF THE ROBBINS IMPROVED PLANTER 



should fall on the platform between each two arms. 

 Sometimes the elevator comes up empty or brings two 

 pieces up ; in either case it is necessary for the man sit- 

 ting behind to put one piece on the vacant part of the 

 table between the arms or take the extra piece off. In 

 this way the tubers are planted more carefully and regu- 

 larly than most hand work. The amount and distance 

 apart of seed, and the amount of fertilizer sown, are 



