IMPROVE- MENTS IN AGRICULTURAL INSTRUMENTS
Year: 1852

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARTYN
JOHN ROBERTS, of Woodbank, Gerrards Cross, in the County of Bucks
Esquire, send greeting.
WHEREAS, Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Thirty-first day of
January, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the fifteenth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Martyn John Roberts, my exors, adiñors, and assigns, Her especial
license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Martyn John
Roberts, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Martyn
John Roberts, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the
Islands of Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her
said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AGRICULTURAL INSTRUMENTS;" in which said Letters Patent is con-
tained a proviso that I, the said Martyn John Roberts, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to
be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters
Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully
and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Martyn John Roberts, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described
and ascertained in and by the present Specification thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed; that is to say:—
My Invention consists first, of a machine for digging, tilling, or breaking
up of land, the general construction and arrangement of which is represented
in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Drawings hereunto annexed, Figure 1 being
a side elevation, Figure 2 a plan, and Figure 3 a side view, of the digger
detached from the framing. A, A, is the framework supported upon the
wheels B, B, and C. D, D, are two parallel discs of cast iron, connected
together by the tube D'. They have in their outer circumference a series of
holes, about sixteen in number, to receive the ends of an equal number of
shafts or rocking bars E, E, which are free to revolve within them when
worked in the manner herein-after to be explained. On to square parts of
these rocking bars are fixed, in the manner shown in Figures 4 and 5, a series
of tines or spades F, F, about four or five inches apart from each other, and
about twelve inches long. These tines are for the purpose of entering into
and throwing up the earth, and breaking the clods. At the end of the rocking
bars E, E, and outside of the discs D, D, are fastened short levers F, F, to
which are attached connecting rods G, G, for working the levers and their
rocking bars by means of an eccentric on the axle of the discs D, D, or by a
cranked axle H. When the discs are fastened together by a tube, I pass
through it an iron axle, which is cranked to about two or three inches outside
the discs, and is firmly fixed to the framing A, by which the whole apparatus
is drawn along either by horse or steam power. Now it will be seen, that if
the discs D, D, revolve freely on this axle, while the cranked axle is fixed to
the framework, and the connecting rods G, G, fixed to the levers F, F, at one
end, while the other ends are fixed to the cranked axle, the levers and their
attached bars E will have a rocking motion backwards and forwards, because
the centre of these rocking bars turns eccentrically to the centre of the pin of
the cranked axle. The position of the crank pin to the vertical line, as regards
the discs, will in some measure depend on the relative diameter of the discs
and the length of the tines, the object being to obtain, by the compound
motion of the onward movement of the discs, their revolution round their axis,
and the rocking of the bars E, such a motion in the tines as shall cause them
to enter the earth with the least possible effort, and to leave it in the best
-position to carry up earth with them. The action of this machine, when at
work, is similar to the action of Morgan's feathering paddle wheel, where the

page_text: floats may be supposed to resemble the tines, with this difference, that in my.
digging machine; though I cause the tines to enter the earth with as little!
effort as possible, as does the paddle wheel into the water, yet in the paddle
wheel the object is to have as little back water as may be, whereas in my:
digging machine I endeavor to obtain as much earth' thrown up as possible ;;
and this I arrive at by a proper adjustment of the crank pin or. eccentric,
which, in the machine of the size described and represented in the Drawings,
is vertical over the centre of the axle.. I do not confine myself to cranking:
the axle outside the discs, as it may be done between them; but in.that case:
I would not join the discs by a tube in the centre, but by cross bars in the
periphery, or nearly so. Nor do I confine myself to obtaining the proper:
motion of the tines by cranking the axle, for the same may be done by means
of an eccentric on the axle, or by cams, these being only variations in the
mechanical arrangements for obtaining the motion of the tines; but I find, by`
experience, the method first herein-before described to be the most practically:
useful. When this digging machine is used upon stoney, clayey, or other?
adhesive heavy land, the tines become clogged up, unless some means are used:
to keep them clean. This may be effected by a comb, or a 'series of bars:
passing between the tines; and I prefer using fixed segments of circles, made
of iron, and fastened to the framework eccentrically to the centre of the discs,
as represented at M, M, Figures 1 and 2, so that they touch, or nearly touch,
the rocking bars or base of the tines when perpendicularly below the axle, and
then gradually pass outwards or tangentially as they approach a point hori-
zontal to the axle. To lower and raise the discs D and tines into and out of
the ground, I make use of the following arrangement:-N is a tooth segment
fixed on to the one end of the cranked axle, and geared into by a pinion O,
cast in a piece with a worm wheel P, set in motion by the endless screw Qon:
the rod R, supported on the framework, and 'turned by the handles S, S,
which, according to the direction in which they are moved, lower or raise the
framework A and discs D..
. Secondly, my Invention consists in an improved arrangement of machinery
for rolling land when in ridges. At present the sides and top of ridges are
very imperfectly and inefficiently rolled, on account of the rollers being of a
concave form; and from their unequal diameter a grinding effect is produced,
with consequent damage to the land..
Figure 6 represents a view of a ridge roller constructed according to my
improvement. It is formed in three or more parts or rollers' A and B, one of
which, A, is for the top of the ridge, and one or more, B, B, for each of the
sides. These rollers are jointed together at C, C, and are free to adjust them-

page_text: selves to the form of the ridge to be rolled; but, as the side rollers B, B, will
be often at an angle of: 45°, it follows that their own weight will have little
effect in pressing the land. I therefore join to the axles upon which the
rollers freely revolve the rods D, D, upon which are placed the weights E, E.
Instead of the weights E, a spring may be substituted; but I prefer the above
arrangement, as being cheaper and more simple in action.
Thirdly, my Invention consists in an apparatus for feeding calves and other
animals, a section of which is represented in Figure 7. It is often deemed
advisable.to rear calves and other animals by hand, instead of allowing them
to derive their nutriment from the mother; but this is often found trouble-
some, and also, when the young calf drinks from the pail, the natural action
of the muscles used in sucking does not take place, and consequently the flow:
of saliva that ensues from the action of these muscles is not obtained, and
therefore the digestion in the animal is not carried on so perfectly as when the
flow of saliva accompanies the food into the stomach. This evil is removed
by the use of my improved feeder, which consists of a reservoir A, of sufficient
size to contain food for one meal, and to which is attached an artificial teat or
nipple. B, made of india rubber or other suitable material. The only opening
to the reservoir is at the neck C; and, when filled with the liquid food for the:
animal, it is inverted into a small cup D, when the liquid flows out until the
aperture in the neck C is covered, when the further access of air into the
reservoir A is prevented, 'so that no more liquid can flow down into the cup D).
But when the animal sucks at the nipple B the liquid descends in the cup D
below the neck C, and a globule of air ascending into the reservoir A, the
liquid again descends into the cup D, and an equal pressure or suction is at all
times necessary on the part of the animal to draw out the liquid. Were this
not the case the flow would sometimes be too great, and at others the sucking
power required would be greater than the animal could give.
'
a
Fourthly, my improvements consist in an improved milk-can, a section
of which is represented in Figure 8. It is well known, that when milk is
carried in cans of the old construction, the jerking motion of the conveyance
is liable to injure the milk by churning it into butter, especially as the cans
cannot be always full. My improved can consists of a vessel A, containing a
number of diaphragms or discs B, of nearly as large a diameter as the interior
of the can, and fixed to a rod C, or other contrivance, by which they can be
withdrawn for the purpose of washing, and also for cleaning the can. One
half of each of these discs may be made to open up for the purpose of filling
the can. Now, if the can be filled or only partially filled with milk, the discs
prevent any jolting motion in the liquid, as the annular space between the

page_text: edges of the discs and the interior of the can is so small that the milk cannot
pass rapidly through, so that the milk between the discs or plates is practically
in a filled vessel, and no motion ensues in the particles of a liquid enclosed in
a filled vessel of small capacity, however much it may be shaken. Another
advantage of this can is, that no water can be mixed with the milk by dis-
honest carriers, after the milk has been poured into the can and locked up, as
is now sometimes accomplished through the air holes and stop cocks.
Fifthly, my improvements in agricultural instruments consist of an im-
proved chaff cutter, whereby hay or straw is cut into chaff with greater ease
than with chaff cutters of the old construction. The main feature of this
improved chaff cutter is the use of circular saws rotating with great velocity
on their axes, while at the same they are caused to pass in front of the mouth-
piece of the delivery box, from which the material to be cut issues.
Figure 9 is a front view of a machine constructed according to my said
improvements. A, A, are two circular saws rotating rapidly in the ends of
the cross frame B centred upon a shaft passing through a disc C bolted to the
framework D of the chaff cutter. This cross head is caused to revolve by
means of the handle E keyed upon the shaft. The periphery of the disc C
is grooved similarly to a pulley, and carries an endless cord F, which passes
over two pulleys on the spindles of the circular saws, and by which, as the
cross head is caused to revolve, the necessary rapid motion is communicated
to the saws, and at the same time they pass alternately in front of the mouth-
piece G, and cut the hay or straw that is issuing from it. The saws may also
have a reciprocating motion communicated to them by means of suitable
mechanism, or two sets of saws may be used to the same mouth-piece, but
rotating in different directions, so that they would cut hay or straw in a
manner similar to the action of shears or scissors. These machines may also
be used for cutting other materials than hay or straw. In order to prevent
the unpleasant clicking sound arising from the slip of the pall from tooth to
tooth of the ratchet wheel used in the feed of chaff cutters, I make use of
what I call a silent ratchet, a view of which is given in Figure 10. A is the
ratchet wheel, the teeth of which are nearly radial; B is the ratchet arm
moving freely on the centre of the ratchet wheel; C is a lever, one end of
which is centered on the spindle of the ratchet, while the other end is connected
by cranks to the fly wheel of the chaff cutter; D is a rod for connecting the
lever C to the pall E of the ratchet; and a, a, are two stops placed upon
the arm B. The action of this silent ratchet is as follows:-Upon the
lever C being raised by the cranks on the fly wheel, the connecting rod D.
first raises the pall E from out of the teeth of the ratchet, as shown by the
dotted lines, and then coming in contact with the stop a on the arm B, causes

page_text: :
it to be moved partially round, and, as the crank descends, the pall falls
noiselessly into the. next tooth of the ratchet A, and the lever C coming
against the stop a', the ratchet wheel is caused to revolve, and the feed of the
machine maintained without the unpleasant clicking sound incidental to the
old method of, feeding.
Sixthly; my Invention consists of a lever harrow which adapts itself to all
the various inequalities on the surface of the land..
.. Figure 11 is a side elevation, and Figure 12 a plan, of a harrow constructed
according to my said improvements. A, A, are a series of levers for carrying
the tines. These levers have formed in one of their ends a hollow boss
through which the axle of the driving wheels is passed.. B, B, are weights,
one to each of the levers; they are capable of being shifted to any desired
extent by the set screws a, a. The levers A, A, are made of unequal lengths,
as shewn, for. the purpose of preventing the tines from being clogged by
weeds, which frequently happens when the tines are all placed in one parallel
line.
Seventhly, my Invention consists of an improved cheese-press, the object
of which is to cause the "sinker" to follow the cheese without that constant
attention which is necessary with the old construction of press.
Figure 13 is a front elevation of a press constructed according to my im-
proved method, and Figure 14 a side view of the same. A, A, are two
standards bolted to the base plate B, and united at top by the cross frame C;
D is a screw which is tapped through a nut E, and is passed through but
fixed to a guide piece F working up and down on pillars A, A. The lower
end of this screw D has fixed to it the "sinker" G. H is the cheese mould
resting on the base plate B; I, I, are two weights, the cords a, a, from which,
after passing over the pulleys k, k, fixed to the pillars A, A, are attached to
the cord wheel L on the nut E. These weights, as they fall, cause the cord
wheel L to be turned; and with it the nut E, which, by means of the screw D,
causes the sinker G to press upon the cheese in the mould H, and to follow it
as it shrinks under the pressure. M is a hand wheel for turning the nut E to
raise the sinker. G when a fresh supply of curd is placed in the mould H, and
to remove the newly-made cheese.
Eighthly, my Invention has relation to the separation of the whey from the
curd in the manufacture of cheese, and also in the separation of the butter-
milk, &c., from. the cream in the making of butter, and consists in placing
the materials to be acted upon in a centrifugal machine, similar to that used
in the drying of cotton and other goods, which, as it rapidly revolves, causes
the whey or liquid parts to be thrown off, and the solid parts to remain.
:
And having now described the nature of my. said Invention, and in what

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim as of my
Invention is as follows:-
First, I claim the machine, first herein-before described and represented
in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawings hereunto annexed, for digging and
tilling land.
Second, I claim the arrangement of circles, or parts of circles, excentric to
the course or path of the tines in digging machines, for the purpose of cleaning
them, as herein-before described and represented in Figures 1 and 2.
Third, I claim the rollers for tilling land, represented in Figure 6, and
herein-before described.
Fourth, I claim the apparatus, as herein-before described, for feeding
calves, lambs, and other young animals, and represented at Figure 7.
Fifth, I claim the improved milk-can herein-before described.
Sixth, I claim the chaff cutter, as herein-before described and represented
in Figures 9 and 10.
Seventh, I claim the improved lever harrow, as herein-before described and
represented in Figures 11 and 12.
Eighth, I claim the improved cheese-press, as herein-before described and
represented in Figures 13 and 14.
And, ninth, I claim the application and adaptation of centrifugal machinery
to the separation of whey from curd in, the manufacture of cheese, and the
separation of butter-milk from cream in the manufacture of butter.
In witness whereof, I, the said Martyn John Roberts, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of July One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-two.
Enrolled the Thirty-first day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.