FARM MACHINERY 233 



The edge-selection drop, now quite generally used by 

 manufacturers, is an accumulative drop with the cells in the 

 seed plate constructed deep and narrow to receive the kernel 

 on the edge instead of on the flat, as ar- 

 ranged for in the so-called flat plate. 

 The edge-selection plate provides very 

 deep seed cells from which there is little 



r t Fig. 143. The edge- 



possibility of the corn's being dislodged selection and round- 

 *". * i 11 hole seed P lates - 



by the cut-off which covers the cell as 



it passes over the receiving receptacle. There is danger, 



however, of the kernel's becoming damaged by being caught 



in the cell on end in such a way that the cut-off cuts the kernel 



in two. 



Graded Seed. The planter will do more accurate work 

 if provided with carefully graded corn, and this fact should 

 never be overlooked. After removing the butts and tips, 

 the corn should be run through a good corn grader, and 

 then there should be a careful selection of plates to suit the 

 corn to be planted. Different varieties of corn and corn 

 from different localities differ much in size and shape, and 

 accuracy of drop can only be secured when the plates are 

 carefully selected for the corn at hand. Sometimes the 

 proper plates are not furnished with the planter, and new 

 plates better suited for the corn at hand must be secured 

 from the manufacturer. There are usually three sizes of 

 plates furnished with each planter, and these will accommo- 

 date nearly all of the variations. 



The variable drop mechanism is of recent origin. By its 

 use the seed plate is made to count out from two to four ker- 

 nels by simply shifting a lever to the designated notch. This 

 device can be used to best advantage in hilly fields where 

 the fertility of the soil varies much, enabling fewer kernels 

 to be planted in the hills where the soil is thin. 



