DRILLS VS BROADCAST SEEDERS 



157 



in use (Fig. 98). Such grain drills are recommended for sandy 

 soils and when trouble is experienced in planting, due to high winds 

 blowing the soil and displacmg the seed. In either case, the soil is 

 pressed firmly on and around the seed; thus making germination 

 more sure, and, in case of blowing, the seed with the soil pressed 

 around it is held more firmly. Other drills are shown in Figures 

 99 to lOL 



It is especially desirable to have excellent tilth when sowing 

 grass seeds. Usually when alfalfa is to be sown broadcast on loose, 

 loamy soils, best results are seemed when the ground is rolled 



"FiQ 99 — Single disk gram dnll 



after harrowing or disking, then ''dragged'' with a light, spike- 

 tooth harrow, the seed sown, the land dragged again to cover the 

 seed, and finally the seed bed rolled with a corrugated roller. This 

 provides a fine, firm seed bed, insures proper depth of planting, 

 creates good contact between the seed and the soil, and provides 

 a thin mulch to lessen evaporation. If an alfalfa drill is used, then 

 only the roller is necessary after seeding. 



Drills vs. Broadcast Seeders. — There are two classes of grain 

 sowers— drills and broadcast sowers. Compare Figures 100 and 101. 

 Of each of these there are several types. In some sections, farmers 

 have definite knowledge as to which kind is best and most economi- 

 cal; while in other locahties much difference of opinion prevails. 



The drill has several advantages over the broadcast sower, viz., 

 the seed can be planted at a uniform depth, less seed is required. 



