Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-06-15
Papers communicated to tie Agricultural
Society IF Virginia M. 3.

RICHMOND. MAY n, 1910.
DEAR SIR,-Jhe Plough which has been the
subJec: of conversation between MIR. Mar
shalt aud myself. think every way calculated
To answer the purpose intended, viz-that of
planting corn at any given distance in the pre-
sent mode of cutivatins that crop, either on
horizontal or straight beds--and 10 lessen
the labOur and save the time, now applied IN
dropping and planting by hand-seeing the
same time and labour, which is now applied to
open the seed furrow, OH the top of the bed is
quite sufficient 10 drop and cover the corn
at any given distance from one ts nine feet
apart.
The principle is the application of wheel
To the binder part OF common one herse
plough beam, which by means of cog or cogs
IN the rim, acts upon IA spring opening aud
shutting a catch something iB the shape of a
horse team, fitted TO the bow of tube which
ronveys the corn from hopper, thro' the
beam, Immediately behind tile hse winch
opens the seed furrow About - feet of
chan is suspended behind the wheel for
the purpose of covering the coru-hut a small
harrow or other obvious csntrivance NAV be
substituted for il.
The inventions was suggested to me, bv the
loss of time aud waicbfuness required 10 in
sure regularity in planting by hand on hori-
zontal heds-and tho never tried on corn, was
on peas-and answered all that 1 expected
from rough model.-As / am no draftsman
Will endeavOuT to explain il BY description
Int It had the time l would much rather
direct the execution 10 a mechanic.
common plough beam has attached to its
siies. behind the mortire for the hoe heive.
two cheeks OF timber inches bV Il inches aud
q feet long. The space between them is e.
qnal TO the thickness of the hinder part OF the
heam, say q to inches In this space RUS
wheel ct wood or cast iron 3 feet
diameter.-On the side OF the rim, is fixed
cog or cOgs TO act npos spring. fixed uDuu
the top OF the beam. III the beam dire CITY he
hind the mOrtice tor the heve of the hne-an
anger hole | inch diameter is bored, slantinp
forwards--imto this is fixed a tube of wood or
metal which extends down 10 the eve of the
hoe, which opens the seed furTow is
connected with hopper which contains the
grain TO be planted. On the top of the plouyIl
beam. horizontal slit is cut in the tnbe
which admits the catch in the shape of horse
heam before mentioned, lying horizontally on
the beam, and working freely on a screw or
rivet al one end-this catch or stopper is SO
connected with the spring, as TO osen or
shnt Oh Application or removal of pressure to
the caich-whicb pressure is produced by
means OF the cog or cogs on the rim of the
wheel. And by the position Of these cogS
any given distance within the range of the
circumference can be attained with regularity
and certanty.-The chain spoken OF is sus-
pended To the hiudeT part of the two cheeks of
wood on which the axis of the wheel runs
and by means of the bite or belly of the chain
aud In proportion to It's weight will cover deep
er or shaliower--a single horse or mule is
quite sufficient to the draught, aud the ex =
pense OF the whole cannot exceed : S-bnt
may be made by any plantation smith and car
pemter Should It he found useful sudll ie nj
Is graitiel in so far romatIng he huly zeal
and permanent interest of our country, in the
improvement of agricultural labOur and in
presenting the invention, whatever In NAV be
worth, 20 the AgriculturdlS ociety Ofmy native
state.
Your most obedient,
Col Nicholas