4/8 
Roport on the Exhihittoa of Imploneiits 
" The introtliiction of manure drills into Lincolnshire is com- 
paratively of recent date. Previously to 1814, small single-row 
drills, attached to the plough for depositing beans in every alter- 
nate furrow, and turnip-seed drills, were the only seed-sowing 
machines used in the county. In 1814, the firm of Seaman and 
Hornsby, of Grantham, made a drill for depositing bones with 
turnip-seed. In 181G, Mr. Gregory, of Nottingham, brought a 
sample of crushed bones to Grantham market, in a mahogany 
box, to exhibit to the farmers the perfection he had attained in 
reducing them to a small size. In the same year several spirited 
farmers purchased drills for bones. In 1817 these drills became 
general. In 1819 portable bone-mills were first introduced: these 
flourished but a short period, giving place to the large fixed 
steam-mills. In 1828 we first began to drill ashes mixed with 
bones. In 1839 originated the first attempt to improve the de- 
livery of manure by means of stirrers in the drill-box; and by 
these Improved machines the drilling of compost was effected. 
At present, 1843, we presume to be able to deposit, by the drill, 
fold and stable-yard muck with our seed. For the rapid adapta- 
tion of the drill to this latter purpose we feel to be much indebted 
to the stimulus given to our mechanics by the Society. Neither 
Jethro Tull, the honoured father of the drill-system, nor the 
Rev. Mr. Cooke, the inventor of the Suffolk drill, dreamed of 
depositing manure of any kind with the seed ; an addition which 
we consider to belong to the eastern counties' farmers, ambitious 
only at first to economise their then favourite manure, the bone." 
The Society's prize of 30L was awarded to Messrs. R. Garrett 
and Son, of Saxmundham, for their drill for general purposes. A 
mode of steerage was aj)plied to this implement, which was thought 
to be calculated to render its use less difficult to novices, and to 
ensure straightness in the lines. Facility in the guidance and 
management of these implements is a property of unquestionable 
importance, as providing for the more complete and safe action of 
the horse-hoe. It may not, however, be out of place to observe 
that experienced drlU-uien reject refined appliances of this kind 
as incumbrances. The late Earl of Leicester is said to have re- 
marked that " he would not employ a labourer who could not 
lead a drill-horse straight from Holkham to St. Paul's." 
To Mr. Richard Hornsby, of Spittlegatc, Grantham, 10/. were 
adjudged for a twelve-coulter corn and manure drill for general 
purposes, which bore ample evidence of the care and skill bestowed 
by him in the construction of this class of machines. 
Both the above-mentioned drills were provided with well-con- 
trived apparatus for dropping seed and manure at intervals, should 
the agriculturist prefer that method to their deposition in conti- 
nuous trains. 
