TRIAL OF AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1180, 12 October 1894, Page 8

TRIAL OF AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.

A trial of the well-known “ Planet Jr.” implements, for field and garden work, was held at Mr Craig’s gardens, Lower Hutfc, yesterday morning, under the direction of Mr E. A. Sanford, the expert from America. Notwithstanding the short notice, a fair number of persons were present. The first implement shown was a single wheel hoe that Mr Craig had been using for three years. Mr Craig pointed out a plot of peas, containing nearly a quarter of an acre, planted 14 inches apart, which he had hoed with this implement in thirty minutes. It is fitted with a pair of knives for weeding, three cultivating teeth, a plough and a pair of rakes. After this was shown a double wheel hoe,which has in addition to the above attachments a pair of ploughs which permit the operator to mould both sides of a row of plants at one passage. This hoe has a high arch and wide frame, which permits of working both sides of spreading plants. A combined drill was also exhibited at work. It sows all kinds of seeds, from turnip -to peas or beans, with perfect regularity, covering to any de-

sired depth, rolling 1 down the earth, and marking out the next row. This machine I has all the attachments of the single wheel I hoe, which can be adjusted to its frame for ' cultivating between the plants. The Planet Jr. horse hoe was next put to work between rows of cabbages, planted about two feet apart. Owing to the continued rains, Mr Craig had been unable to cultivate the land, and the weeds had got a firm hold and completely covered the ground. The horse hoe was adjusted for the work in hand, and the manner in J which it cut the weeds close up to the plants, without the least injury, and at the same time thoroughly pulverised the ground, was a surprise to those present. It was put to work on a piece of unbroken ground, and opened up furrows a foot deep and three feet in width. By reversing the steels the earth was again returned to the furrow. The machine was worked in half a dozen different ways, and in each case did its work in a satisfactory manner. This implement is made almost entirely of steel, the standards being hollow and bolted on both sides of the frame, giving it lightness and strength. This is a special feature of the “ Planet Jr.” machines. Mr Craig has a complete set of the “ Planet Jr.” implements in use, and speaks highly of them. Messrs E. W. Mills and Co., who are the Wellington agents, will be pleased to forward catalogues to persons requiring them.