A NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR EXAMINING THE GERMINATIVE PROPERTIES OF GRAIN AND OTHER SEEDS
Year: 1883

page_text: 4t
LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Solicitors of Patents, of 67; Strand, in the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer for an Invention. of A NEW OR IMPROVED PROCESS AND
APPARATUS FOR EXAMINING THE GERMINATIVE PROPERTIES OF GRAIN AND
OTHER SEEDS communicated to him from abroad by Otto Coldewe and Louis
Schönjahn, persons resident at Brunswick, in the German Empire
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at
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the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th November 1883.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer, "A NEW OR
IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR EXAMINING THE GERMINATIVE PROPERTIES
OF GRAIN AND OTHER SEEDS," a communication to me from abroad by Otto
Coldewe and Louis Schönjahn; persons resident at Brunswick, in the German
Empire,
(This invention has for its object to examine the germinative properties of grain
or seeds by a more rapid and reliable process.
For this purpose the water and other substances necessary for the development
of the germ are caused to penetrate the grains or seeds uniformly and in the shape
of vapours.
The apparatus used for this purpose chiefly comprises a reservoir filled with
water up to a given height and a hollow perforated plate or cover, preferably of
porous material, fitted to the top of the reservoir.. The holes, of this plate are
adapted to receive the grains which are introduced in such a manner that the end
at which the germination takes place is turned downward; after which the plate is
covered with sand. The apparatus is then covered by a lid lined with felt for
preventing the escape of vapours. This lid is also surmounted by a thermometer
serving to indicate the degrees of temperature...
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page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herbert John Haddan in the Patent Office on the 19th May 1884.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer,
"A NEW OR
IMPROVED PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR EXAMINING THE GERMINATIVE PROPERTIES
OF GRAIN AND OTHER SEEDS," a communication to me from abroad by Otto
Coldewe and Louis Schönjahn, persons resident at Brunswick, in the German
Empire,
The appliances hitherto used for the examination of the germinative properties
of grain and other seeds have the drawback, that they do not supply the liquid to 1
the grain uniformly, and do not, therefore, cause a uniform growth or development
of the same.
The present invention has for its object to remove this drawback, by ensuring a
uniform and easy germination of the grains and seeds, which is effected by
conducting the substances and moisture necessary for the growth of the germs
uniformly and in the shape of vapours to the grains and other seeds to be
examined.
The apparatus used for this purpose is illustrated by the accompanying drawings
Figs. 1 to 6, in which
Fig. 1, is a front elevation of the apparatus;
Fig. 2, a plan of the lid ;
Fig. 3, a vertical section of the apparatus;
Fig. 4, & plan of the tray holding the grain or seed;
Fig. 5, a section of a modified form of tray;
Fig. 6, a plan of the same.
The apparatus comprises:
A liquid receptacle A partly filled with water. (up to three quarters of the height
of the inner flange above the bottom of the vessel) as shown in Fig. 3.
A perforated tray B, made of glazed earthenware, or other suitable material,
which may be porous, enamelled or glazed, and in which are formed conical 3
perforations as shown by Figs. 3 and 4, or oblong grooves open at the bottom as.
shown by Figs. 5 and 6.
Into these holes, recesses or grooves are introduced the grains or other seeds
with the seed germ (or the extremity on which the seed germ is to be developed)
turned downward as shown in Fig. 3.
The oblong holes or grooves are intended for various seeds (other than cereals)
such as beetroot seeds, to be subjected to the process of germination.
For the treatment of very fine seeds the tray may be replaced by a bolting cloth
or by gauze.
After the perforated tray has been put in its place at A, it is filled with sand up
to the edge, and covered by the lid C lined with felt or other suitable material
which serves to prevent the escape of vapours.
To this cover is secured a thermometer D serving to indicate the temperatures
necessary for germination.
The apparatus may be made in any convenient size.
Vapours are generated in the liquid receptacle A, between the level of the liquid
and the perforated tray, and are thus uniformly conducted to the extremities of.
the grains to be developed, which extremities project downward through the holes
or grooves of the tray. These vapours cause a very uniform growth of the grain,
in less than half the time which would be required for the same operation in 5
ordinary apparatus.

page_text: These two advantages (uniformity and speed) are of great importance for the
roducer as well as for the buyer.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim is:
The process of producing or promoting the germination of grains or seeds by
causing the water and other substances necessary for the development of the
germ to penetrate the grains or seeds in the form of vapour.
The combination of receptacle A and cover C carrying a thermometer, with a
perforated tray B having apertures adapted to receive the grains or seeds and
to expose them to the action of the vapours arising from the said receptacle.
In Witness whereof I, the said Herbert John Haddan have hereunto set my
and and seal this 19th day of May A.D. 1884.
TT - TIT
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