Melbourne Exhibition.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6382, 30 October 1888, Page 4

Melbourne Exhibition.

$EW ZE£Z,&Nt> IMPIJ3MENTS. {JESOir OTJB OWK COBBBSPONDEIOT/] ' (Per s;B* Botomahana via the Bluff.} !' MELBOUENE, Oct. 23. , la Tficent exhibition notes the Argus • remarks that the New Zealand implement ; makers combine to make a good display in ■ the eastern annexe, which deserves the attention of Victorian agriculturists, as it may give them some hints worth receiving. Booth, Macdonald and Co., of Christchurch, show a valuable variation on the ordinary disc-harrow, which is go constructed that two disc axles can be folded !np to be at least a foot off the ground, converting the machine into a compact , travelling carriage which can pass through j any ordinary gateway. The width of the ' ordinary disc-harrow makes ifc very '; cumbersome for transport. It would ; appear as if Beed sowing by machinery received more attention in New Zealand than here, to judge by the prominence given to combined harrows -aud eeedsowers in the Exhibition. The commonest form consists of a seed box mounted behind a disc-harrow, and provided with adjustable s apertures by which the' seed can be allowed to fall at any desired rate into the prepared soil; but P. and D. Duncan, of Christchurch, show the more elaborate form of grain seed and manure drill used in New Zealand, specially for large fields of turnips. This ib provided with fifteen hollow coulters, with lever and chain attachment to enable them to rise over obstacles on the prepared surface of the coil ; while, at the same time, they act as channels for the seeds, as they are placed in communication with the seed box by means, of tubes. . Each, tube j ends in a small hopper in the seed box ; j and beside each hopper revolves a number ' of arms fitted with small cups, which lift ] the seed out of the box and drop it into the hopper, and. thence to the soil. AloDg the seed box is fixed a second box or i trough for -manure,, the supply o£ which can be regulated by means of little doors.