A NEW MANURE AND SEED SOWER.

Otago Witness, Issue 1966, 29 October 1891, Page 7

A NEW MANURE AND SEED SOWER.

Thomson's combined ridging manure and seed sower is the name under which a new drill plough invented hy Mr A. Thomson, farmer, Kelso, has been patented. The machine is a double ridger and turnip sower, and trials in the Tapanui and Gore districts have amply demonstrated the value of Mr Thomson's invention. The following is a description of the machine : — The frame is similar to that of the ordinary grubber or elevator, the measurement berap> 4ft 6m wide by 6ft in length. It is carried ontwo main wheels behind the ploughs, and supported in front by two wheels on a spindle through the maohine, and drawn by four horses (abreast or in ordinary plough taokle) with comparative ease. The centre breast has two mouldboards, and the two ontsides one board each, thus forming two complete drills at each Btroke. The mould boards are those of the ordinary drill plough, set to form 27in drills. Immediately above and in the centre of the mouldboards are the manure canisters, from which the manure is distributed so that the soi? covers it whilst being formed iafco a drill. The manure is directed to tbe ground by a pina-

and put exaotly into place without waßte. The distributor is on an entirely new arrangement, and consists of two barrel - shaped canisters, driven from the compressing roller by a pitch chain, and kept constantly revolving at a very slow speed, the manure being always in an agitated state, preventing clogging, a difficulty experienced in all other machines. The manner of dropping the manure is also accomplished by a very simple contrivance, consisting of a row of holes in the centre of the boxes, through which the manure falls into the conductor. The quantity is segulated by an outward strap, pierced with the Bame number of holes and the same pitch, and by a simple turn of a screw the strap can be drawn over the holes 'in the oanister to whatever gauge required. This canister 1 system has been so thoroughly tried that it has proved itself capable of working any Bort of artificial manure, without stoppage or unequal sowing. The plough ia guided by an ordinary steering rod on the top of the spindle, the lever extending to the driver's seat. The lifting and steering rods are the only two levers about the machine, both at the driver's hand, and requiring no exertion to 'adjust them. When the ploughß are lifted out of the ground the manure and turnip sowers are also clear and stop working without any separate adjusting movement, the single motion of the main lever doing all at once. A small chain can be fixed behind the rutter to cover the seed, but so far experience has shown that this matter entirely rests with the condition of the ground. The machine is all over simple and compact, without any intricate workings, and can be managed by any ordinary' workman. The Mataura Ensign in noticing a local trial Bays ;■—■" At the trial at Mr Ooutts' ordinary superphosphate was used in one oanister and Fison's turnip fertiliser in the other. It is held by some that the latter is not easily 'distributed, but Mr Thomson makes light work of it and finds no trouble in satisfying' the moat critical agriculturist. The superphosphate w*s put out at the rate of 2cwt per aore, and the box containing Fison's was adjusted to put out the same, and from the time of starting there was no stoppage or unequal work. The machine has proved itself capable of Bowing wet superphosphate, diluted with half a buoket of water to the 2cwt, the only difference beiDg that the holes had to be a little more open for the wet manure, . , , . The implement was turned out by Mr William Gardiner, of Mataura, and has j stood severe tests, and looks fit enough for the competitions in which it will take part during the show season. There is not a particle of woodwork about the machine to be aff eoted by exposure, and solid strength is apparent in all its parts, fitting the plough for the roughest work that would ever require to be undertaken." The Tapanui Courier says of the machine :— 11 At the trials held at Heriot and Tapanui good work was done on rough ground, and we oannot do better than endorse public omnion expressed on all aidea that Mr Thomson has completed what will prove to the turnip field what the reaper and binder is to the harvest paddock. The idea has been some time in developing, acid we last year saw the machine in its primitive state ; but to-day it has undergone its thorough test, with a Btrong, well-fitted construction."