SEED SEPARATION. 59 



wind-blast apparatus, shown in figure 8, for separating tobacco seed 

 into heavy and light grades. This apparatus has already come into 

 general use by tobacco growers in the United States and other coun- 

 tries. It was described by Mr. A. D. Shamel in the Yearbook of the 

 Department of Agriculture for 1904. The seed separator here illus- 

 trated is a slight improvement over the original apparatus as de- 

 scribed by Mr. Shamel. 



The improved apparatus consists of a foot bellows («), connected 

 with a globe valve (c) by means of a rubber tube (b). The valve 

 (c) is connected directly with the seed receptacle (e). The seed 

 receptacle consists of a 1-inch glass tube (e) about 11 inches in length, 

 cemented in the reducer (d) with plater of Paris. At the extreme 

 bottom of the glass tube e and just above the top of the valve (c) 

 a fine wire gauze is fastened. The object of this gauze is to prevent 

 the seed from falling into the valve from the receptacle, and there- 

 fore it is necessary to use a wire gauze with very small mesh. An 

 ordinary gas pipe coupling (/), about 3 inches in length and slightly 

 larger than the tube e, is firmly cemented to the top of the tube to 

 serve as a support for the tube g. The tube g is of glass the size 

 of tube e and about 6 feet in length. The apparatus can be sup- 

 ported by a convenient frame, which may be fastened to the wall or 

 set up wherever desired. 



The bellows and tubing for this apparatus may be procured from 

 any chemical supply house, and the remaining parts from hardware 

 stores. They can be easily put together and the apparatus set up 

 in the proper manner by anyone who wishes to use it. A complete 

 device of this nature should not cost more than $5, a very small 

 sum compared with the benefits to be derived from getting rid 

 of the light and undesirable seed. In the successful operation of 

 this apparatus the following method should be employed: Pour 

 about 1 ounce of the tobacco seed to be separated into the seed 

 receptacle, and by means of the foot bellows pass a current of air 

 of sufficient strength thru the entire apparatus. The strength of 

 the current of air may be regulated by the globe valve so as to blow 

 out the desired proportion of the light seed. The light seed is blown 

 out thru the top of the tube and the heavier seed falls back into the 

 seed receptacle. The degree of separation may be controlled accu- 

 rately by means of the valve, the length of the tube, and the work- 

 ing of the foot bellows. A much more complete separation may be 

 made by the use of a long tube than where a short one is used. 



This simple apparatus serves to completely eliminate the evil re- 

 sults associated with the use of light and inferior seed. It is thoroly 

 practical in every way, and delicate enough in its operation to sepa- 

 rate the smallest kinds of seeds according to their individual speci- 



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