40 
Report on the Agricultural Implements at 
volve a given number of times, according to its circumference, 
representing a traverse of one-eighth of an acre. Seed at about 
the rate of 2 bushels an acre was used ; and the experiments were 
tried with wheat, oats, and beans. In the preceding Table the 
results of wheat only are given. It will be evident that the hill- 
side tests, as compared with those on the level, are of the greatest 
importance, because, wherever the land is inclined, the drill will 
be used across the incline rather than up and down, as in the 
latter direction there would be a great danger of heavy rains 
washing the seed out of the drills. The results of these tests 
surprised none more than some of the exhibitors themselves, 
completely falsifying the statements of and reasons for superior 
efficiency ; in more than one instance popular and highly laudated 
machines being thrown out as unworthy of award. 
It will be seen by a comparison of the above with Mr. G. 
Purves Smith's report of the Bedford trials, that the variations 
were less marked even in the worst cases, and this I attribute 
to the presence in all the American drills of some kind of force- 
leed, a most important and valuable arrangement, and which 
completely supersedes the revolving barrel with discs and seed- 
cups which is still retained in the majority of English drills. 
There are various ways in which a force-feed is secured. The 
most common is to have a roller on the shaft, either fixed or 
shifting, which, revolving in a confined position (the seed-cup ) 
carries a certain quantity of seed round with it for each revolu- 
tion, and the seed falling away from it is received by the tubes 
which convey it to the ground ; these rollers vary as to form 
and surface corrugations ; but, according to these experiments, 
their efficiency depends upon whether the roller occupies all the 
space between the sides of the seed-cup, or only a varying por- 
tion, according to the quantity of seed to be sown. In the latter 
case, it will be readily understood that when the inclination of 
the drill causes the seed to fall away from the roller, a less 
quantity of seed will be sown than either on the level or when 
the seed accumulates over the roller. In all cases in which the 
roller filled the seed-cup the sowing was most regular. Another 
point requires notice, and that is the mode of regulating the 
quantity sown. This is done in two ways ; either on the old- 
fashioned plan of a change of wheels affecting the revolution of 
the spindle, or by closing or opening the mouth of the seed- 
cups. The latter plan has apparently two advantages : (1) That 
the regulation can be as minute as possible, and (2) whilst the 
machine is in motion, all that is necessary is to give a turn to a 
lever handle ; whereas, with one exception (Farmers' Friend 
Drill), change of gear-wheels can only be done when the drill 
is stationary, and thus consumes more or less time, besides the 
