The lifting-bar, in the extreme rear of the machine, may be readily operated by the driver, who by means of it raises the hoes out of the ground, thereby disconnecting the centre-gear wheels, by which all the working parts of the drill are thrown out of gear. The lever for throwing the hoes out of or into line, or what is known as a zigzag position, is on the frame, at the right, within easy reach of the driver. The hoes, which are attached to the cast-iron spouts, have polished steel points; the rubber tubes from which the spouts are fed are wired and can be readily removed and replaced. The machine is provided with iron bars and springs so arranged and applied that any desired amount of pressure can be put on the hoes by means of the lever, or it can be used without any pressure. It is also supplied with gauges, to regulate the hoes so that they will drill of uniform depth whether in hard or in soft ground.
Under the grain-hopper and driven by the revolving axle is a land surveyor, for accurately registering the number of acres sown. It registers only when the drill is seeding, as it is thrown out of gear by the lifting-bar simultaneously with all the other parts, and begins registering the instant the Lars are returned to the ground and seeding is resumed.
Corn-fi/anters.—The grain-drill may be used for planting corn in drills, but, as the rows must be farther apart than for other grain, generally not more than two of the tubes are employed. Planting-machines which will drop two rows at a time at right angles are used for planting corn in hills. Figure i (pl. 58) illustrates an implement of this kind. Each seed-plate contains fourteen seed-chambers, and different-sized plates are furnished, to plant from two to five kernels of average-size corn. The plates are
rotated by a direct stroke against lugs on their outer edge by a sliding frame connected to the shake-bar. By the use of the combined hand- and foot-lever the runners can be properly controlled, giving a uniform depth to the seed. The machine has an attachment for planting corn in drill rows, and also an attachment for planting pumpkin-seeds as frequently as may he desired. The wire seen at the right of the machine is termed a " check-rower." It has cast balls secured in the joints at equal distances apart and is stretched across the field. The machine is driven alongside this wire, and is so connected with it that every time a ball is struck the dropper is opened and the seed is dropped and covered. When the end of the field is reached, the stakes to which the wire is attached are moved the width of the next two rows. The wire is a guide in driving and the balls insure exact cross-rows.
The Automatic Hand (pi. 57, fig. io) drops the seed first into a receptacle and then into the ground. It plants with one hand as fast as a man can walk, and the depth of planting is regulated by raising or lowering an adjustable slide.
The Keystone (pl. 58, fig. 2) may be so adjusted as to reg ulate the depth of furrow, to cover thick or thin, or to plant any number of grains any required distance apart. It will plant from ten to twelve acres of corn per day, dropping the kernels in hills or in drills, and will at the same time, if needed, sow any kind of pulverized fertilizer.