308 



THE WHEAT CULTTJEIST. 



The grass-seed hopper is placed forward of the rollers 

 and deposits the seed broadcast. The distributor is a 

 slide of thin flat iron, placed in the bottom of the hop- 

 per, with suitable holes in it to correspond with the 

 openings in the bottom of the hopper to regulate the 

 quantity sowed. The seed is agitated and made to pass 

 through these openings by a serrated rod made to vi- 

 brate in the bottom of the hopper on the thin iron slide 

 by being attached to the levers on the cam of the end 

 roller. 



These rollers all being on the one axle, will level the 

 ground similar to a field-roller, and leave the surface in 

 good condition for the reaper and mower ; and the roll- 

 ers being loose on the shaft or axle, may be turned 

 around easily by the team. 



Where the soil is light, and mellow, the grass-seed 

 distributor may be forward of the grain drill, as it is 

 better to cover grass seed with one inch or more of earth 

 on very light soils. But as a general rule, especially 

 where the soil is heavy, I think that the grass-seed dis- 

 tributor should be placed behind the rollers, as there is 

 danger of covering grass seed too deep. Grass seed of 

 all kinds requires but little covering. My long expe- 

 rience assures me that a larger proportion of grass seed 

 and clover seed will grow when sowed after the last 

 implement has been drawn over the surface than when 

 the seed is harrowed, rolled, or brushed in. There is 

 great danger of covering grass seed too deep. The first 

 shower of rain that falls on the field after the seed has 

 been sown, will cover almost every seed as deep as is 

 requisite to insure germination and luxuriant vegetation. 



Another improvement in this excellent drill, besides 

 placing the grass-seed distributor hehind the rollers, is 



