Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/206

180] circumstance, that they neither bruise nor break the grain, and are not encumbered with an additional hopper, which must deliver the quantity of seed with great inaccuracy, from the unequal shaking of the machine, considerably add to the excellence and simplicity of both.

Another implement upon a new principle was invented by Mr., of Dover, and by him denominated an "Universal sowing machine, for drilling or broad-casting;" for which he obtained a patent, about the year 1785. It is so constructed that, whether worked by the hand, drawn by a horse, or fixed to and used with a plough, it is not liable to be put out of order; there being but one movement to direct the whole. It sows every kind of grain with equal ease and regularity, so that the quantity sown may be varied at pleasure, and in any degree. A correspondent in the 12th vol. of "Annals of Agriculture," p. 481, states, that Mr. 's invention possesses the peculiar advantage of cultivating turnips, so as to ensure the crop against the ravages of the fly. By sowing the usual quantity of turnip-seed broad-cast by the machine, and at the same time striking furrows at proper distances in the land, part is deposited in the drills, and the rest sown broad-cast between them: so that, if the season be dry, it will be favourable to the drills, and, if wet, to that which is broad-cast. And, if it happen that the latter be injured by the depredations of the fly, the former, by coming at a later period, is saved; or, if the former be destroyed, the latter is preserved. If the whole thrive, the farmer has the choice of selecting the most vigorous plants from both.—The price of this valuable implement, if constructed so as to be used with a single-furrow plough, is, we understand, $3 1⁄2$ guineas:—if intended for a double-furrow plough, $4 1⁄2$ guineas:—that of the large machine, consisting of a seven-furrow plough, with Mr. 's additions, the whole made by himself, is $7 1⁄2$ guineas.—For a more particular account, we refer the reader to a treatise on the subject, published by the inventor (8vo. 6d. Johnson, 1786), entitled "Description and Use of the Universal Sowing Machine for Drilling and Broad-casting."

In the 12th vol. of Annals of Agriculture, p. 197, we also meet with a communication from a Mr. J., of Elmley, in which he announces his invention of an engine that plants every kind of grain in a manner, he conceives, never before attempted. It is a common wheel-plough, to which is fixed a simple piece of machinery, for conveying, by means of an engine fixed to the plough, immediately behind the mould-board, any quantity of grain into an incision in the heart of a furrow, of whatever depth: the seed is effectually and instantly covered by an instrument suspended to the engine. The whole machinery consists of iron, yet does not exceed 20lb. in weight.—The engine may be worked without a handle (unless at the end), which does not retard the sowing, or add much to the labour of the horses. The inventor observes, that it may be employed on any soil, and in all seasons; the seed being covered to protect it from the effects of the weather.—The price of Mr. 's implement, exclusively of the