Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/197

Rh in diameter, upon the nave of one of which is a cast-iron at f, f, to turn the axis of the seed-box, which has a similar wheel, but only one-fourth of its diameter, so that the axis of the seed-box revolves four times to one revolution of the wheel.

Fig. 2, is the seed-box, consisting of boards about 1 inch thick, 48 inches in length within, 12 in depth, of a similar width at the top, and 6 inches wide at the bottom. It is divided into six compartments for the reception of grain, and ought to have a cover with hinges, to exclude the rain. This box is to be placed partly over, and partly before the axle-tree of the machine, as delineated at g, g, in Fig. 1. Beneath the seed-box passes a wooden cylinder at h, h, the circumference of which is excavated for the reception of grain from the six cells marked l, m, n, o, p, q; and for conveying it to the six oblique tin flues, i, i, which intersect each other, as represented in Plate I. Fig. 2. By this reciprocal crossing, the seed-flues are designed to increase the length of the inclined surface on which the seed descends, in order that, if six or eight grains be delivered at the same time, they may so separate by their friction, when descending, that they cannot be sown together on the same spot, which might occasion tussocks of corn.

As these seed-flues intersect each other before they pass through the coulter-beam at c, c, (Plate I. Fig. 1), it became necessary to make 3 of the circular holes, at one end of the coulter-beam, more backward than those at the other; and, therefore to use iron staples or rings at one end, instead of perforations, as at w, w, (Fig. 1.) These tin flues deliver the seed into the small furrows, or drills, which are made by the coulters before them. The seed-flues have a joint at z, z, where one part of the tin tubes slides into the other part, by which means the former can be occasionally shortened or lengthened, in order to adapt them to the coulters, when placed 7 inches apart, for sowing barley; or, at the distance of 9 inches, for sowing wheat. In the bottom of this seed-box are 6 holes, one in each compartment, for conveying the corn into the excavations of the cylinder, revolving beneath them. These holes are provided, on the descending side, as the cylinder revolves, with a strong brush of bristles, about $3⁄4$ of an inch in length, which press hard on the tin cylinder. The holes in the bottom of the seed-box, on the ascending side of the revolving cylinder, are furnished with a piece of strong leather (such as is used for the soles of shoes), which rubs upon that side of the cylinder; by which means the corn, of whatever kind, is exactly delivered, while the axis is revolving, without a single grain being cut, or bruised.

Fig. 3, Is the iron axis, and wooden cylinder beneath the seed-box. An iron bar is first made, about 4 feet 6 inches long, and 1 inch square, the weight of which ought to be about 15lbs.; it is covered with wood, so as to form a cylinder 4 feet in length, and 2 inches in diameter, represented at r, r, in this figure. The use of the iron bar in the centre of the wood, is to prevent it from warping, a circumstance of great importance. This wooden cylinder passes beneath the seed-box, and has