GRAVITATIONAL J SIFTERS. 
309 
It seems a pity to pay for and carry on one hand all this gearing 
when it is superfluous, for only a slow rotatiou is necessary and a crank 
on the axis of the brush would answer, but the right to such a combi 
nation appears to be covered by one of Mr. J. W. Young's prior claims. 
The single passage from the hopper to the brush is large, and extends 
the whole length of the cylinder. 
A larger machine drawn on wheels and arranged to supply two rows 
is also made by Mr. Smith. This is intended for poisoning iusects on 
low crops, as potatoes, &c. ; yet a similar apparatus could be mounted 
higher to be hauled above the rows of cotton, (rears on the main axle 
communicate its rotary motion to a rod bearing the brushes in the per- 
forated cylinders. Over each cylinder is a powder-hopper, and forward 
therefrom a large box as a seat, and for conveying an additional quan- 
tity of poison. The main wheels straddle a pair of rows while a small 
trundle-wheel runs behind in the intermediate Space, and a pair of shafts 
is provided for the horse which travels ahead in the same middle. The 
machine has adjustability to rows of different widths, and is strongly 
constructed. 
The Eldridge Sifter. — The insect destroyer patented by Mr. Frank A. 
Eldridge, of Brenham, Tex., also designed to distribute thy poisons over 
the cotton plant, is thus described in the Department Report on Cotton 
Insects: 
"The nature of the invention consists in the employment, upon a suit- 
able vehicle, of two or more receptacles for containing poison powder 
which receptacles have perforated or sieve bottoms, and contain within 
them rotary stirring blades and brushes, actuated, as will be hereinafter 
explained, whereby the poison dust can be regularly and at the same 
time economically distributed upon two or more rows of plants at the 
same time. 
" In Plato LVIII Fig. 1 is a top view of tin- machine ; Fig. 2 is a side elevation show- 
ing one of the poison receptacles in section; Fig. 3 is a front elevation. 
"A designates the axle of two transporting wheels, 15 15, from which axle»rises a 
frame, C, carrying three poison-powder Teci ptacles, D D D', which are preferably of 
cylindrical form, and which have finely perforated bottoms, a. The two side recepta- 
cles, I) D, ire arranged so as to distribute the powder upon two rows of plants, ami 
the rear receptacle distributes the powder upon the intermediate row, thus playing 
on three rows at the same time. Each receptacle contains radial blades, b, which are 
applied to a central shaft, c, and provided with brushes. <7. which act upon the per- 
forated bottom, a. 
"The blades, 6, stir the powder and prevent it from clogging, and the brushes compel 
it to pass through the screen-bottoms in a uniform manner. 
"The upper ends of the shafts, c, of the receptacles, DD, have spur- wheels, t, on them, 
which engage with spur-wheels,/, on the ends of a horizontal shaft, E, which has its 
bearings on the top of the frame, C, and which is provided with pulleys, g g g'. The 
pulleys, g g, receive rotation from pulleys on the inner ends of the hubs of wheels, 
B B, through the medium of belts, h h. 
"The rotation thus given to shaft, E, is transmitted to the shaft, c, of the blades 
and brushes which are in the receptacle, D'. 
" The machine thus described will be propelled by two horses hitched to the draft- 
tongue, A', and, if desired, the axle, A, may be centrally arched, so as not to interfere 
with the plants over which it passes." 
