Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-09-30
Euuhun fire. press

prominent characteristic IN the aye vi S'cain ic
developed in the almost universal seeking al
ter mechanical appliances to expedite LABOR
heretofore slowly done by hand. In manuiac
d, tnres rnucb has been attained-in agriculture
but little. One thing which has been prohta
bIv attained. is the invention of drilling ma
chimes. for sowing wheat. Agrculturalists are
more likely to be conservative than progressive;
and when an innovation on their mode of farm
ing is proposed, they are usually inclined to de-
mand clear facts in illustration of the advanta
ges claimed for the proposed improvement.
Ii is an old saying, that the richest mine
vet discovered, is good sail, well cultivated
Next to the thorough preparation of the soil,
the most important thing to secure good crop,
is proper planting.
An Ohio correspondent of the \ Y. Tribune
gives us the following valuable facts in favor of
drilling grain. He says:
In order that those who are disposed to heed
facts may have some information in regard to
advantages that have been secured by machi-
merry for putting seed in the ground propose,
HCI6lHdilGEs " SulDoNN biC lCouitH vi % NoiCiul
and somewhat extensive investigation-made
not by myself, but by experienced farmers, to
whom l shall refer.
In many of the counties of Northern Ohio,
the drilling or planting of wheat by machine
~, has been Thoroughly tested, to the entire sat
isfaction of large majority of those who have
made any observations or experiments in re-
gard to it.
1t has, however, met bitter opposition
When first introduced, (about five years Since)
ignorant prejudice frowned darkly at the mea
gre show of progressive spirit that gave it en-
couragement. But it has gone on conquering
the ancient pejudice and custom of sowing
broadcast
Two years ago last fall, John Sickman, an in
telllgent farmer of Wayne County, purchased
Wheat Drill, and resolved to test it fairly
His neighbors were deeply interested in the
project. Some laughed at, and some encoura-
ged him. A Committee was chosen; given
number of acres chained oif-one half the
wheat was shown broadcast, and the other half
planted with the Drill. The following summer,
when the wheat began to put forth heads, the
field was an object of much speculation. Many
said the broadcast was as good as the drilled,
but those who carefully examined the grain.
proved that drilled wheat was growing regular
ly-that of the broadcast irregularly. Harvest
approached; the conservatives were Sanguine
but the friends of the Drill said. "If yon 20
into the field. you will discover that the heads
of drilled wheat stand up side by side. and
nearly every one has six rows. The broadcast
wheat has but few stalks equal in height, and
some have only four rows of grain in the head.
Wait till harvest gentlemen" When the
wheat was cut and separately thrashed and
measured in the field, it was ascertained that
a yield of .forty-three bushels to the acre
from the half sown broadcast yield of thirty
t,co bushels to the acre, showing advantage
of elecen bushels to the acre IN .faDor Of drill
ling.
So we'll satisfied with the this experiment
was Mr.. Sickman that the following season, in
order to get drilling introduced among his
neighboring farmers, he offered to purchase
Drill worth seventy-fve dollars, for one of them
if, out of thirty-fve acres he had to put in
wheat, he would SOW one acre broadcast, and
Drill the residue, and give him Mr.. s. what
grain was gained over that sown broadcast.
Christian Napp, the same county, who pur-
chased a Drill for seventy-fve dollars, in com
pany with neighbor, put in for himself thirty
five acres of wheat tie first year; and when he
harvested he stated that he was willing to GER
tify that on his farm the Drill had paid for IT.
self
Mr.. Nolan, Of the same county, at political
convention in Harrsville, last summer, declared
to number of the farmers there collected, that
he put in his wheat corn and oats with Drill
and that he would not be without one for three
times its cost, because it had fairly increased
his crops more than one-third.
For support of Mr.. Sickman, Mr.. Napp,
and Mr.. Molan's experience can refer to ia
cob Shook, of Wayne County, Isaac Smoker, Of
Ashland County Squire Hilderbrandt, an ex
tensive farmer of Stark County, (who plants
two hundred acres of wheat annually John
Shaw, of Summit County, H. c. Kingsbury, of
Medina County, John Ealton, of Richland
County, and others; and / could particularly
cite other tests, if necessary. To any one who
wishes to make direct inquiries; can give the
names of over a hundred farmers in Wayne,
Stark, Medina, Ashland and Richland Counties,
who urge all farmers, even those who only plant
welve acres of wheat, to buy Drills, because, at
the very best, they will warrant a yield of three
bushels to the acre over that sown broadcast.
which will make thirty-six bushels of wheat
otherwise lost; and thirtysix bushels of wheat,
even at fifty cents bushel, is good investment
for seventy-fve dollars, at which the highest
priced Drills manufactured in Ohio are sold.
When ground has been ploughed once and
narrowed once, is ready for drilling. Twelve
acres may be easily drilled in day. by one
hand with one team, and seven tube Drill
If nine tube drill is used, one term will put in
eighteen acres day.
The seed is all deposited three and a half
inches below the surface, in rows eight inches
anart at the rate of one and q half bushels of