Improvements in Apparatus for Seed Germination.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 21st Nov., 1890-Accepted, 27th Dec., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Seed Germination.
DUNCAN MCLAREN 29 Bread Street Edinburgh Ironmonger & Tinsmith do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
A wood frame 36 inches long by 24 inches broad and 30 inches high. The upper
15 inches enclosed with wood the lower 15 inches 4 turned legs.
Into top of this
frame is fitted a tray 6 inches deep and in centre of bottom of tray a well 12 inches
diameter & 3 inches deep with a copper bottom and from both ends of tray are fitted
3 zinc tubes 1inchos diameter extending from 2 inches outside wood frame to
2 inches from furthest end of tray at equal distance from each other and each tube
has 2 openings in tray 2 inches long at right angles to tube upwards one opening at
end in tray and the other 8 inches from it and round the upper edge of tray is soldered
a zine roun for water. Into this roun is fitted a top frame of zinc. The ends straight
up the sides sloping upwards to 8 inches at top on which is fixed a perforated zinc lid
with hinges. The sides may be fitted with glass. A light grating is fitted on top of
tray and on grating a piece of felt.
At one end of wood frame is fitted a filler with a tube to well to supply water and
under this well a Bunsen burner cone shaped 5 inches at bottom and 2 inches at top
with wire netting on top and gas jet at bottom.
T
1011
Wabury 1800
DUNCAN MCLAREN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Seed Germination.
I, DUNCAN MCLAREN, 29 Bread Street, Edinburgh, Ironmonger and Tinsmith do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
It is well known that the immediate causes of germination are the presence of
moisture and atmospheric air and a certain elevation of temperature. The apparatus
according to my invention is specially devised to allow of the process of germination
being accomplished in an extremely facile manner owing to its constructive features
in " seed
and the means employed by me to fulfil the requirements necessary
germinator," all as hereunder set forth.
a
In order that my invention may be the better understood, I have appended the
accompanying two sheets of drawings in which, the same letters of reference are
employed to denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.
.
The apparatus generally is illustrated by front and end elevational views in Figures 1
and 2 respectively Sheet 1; whilst, referring to Sheet 2, Figure 3 represents a side
elevational view of the "tank" hereunder referred to; Figure 4 a plan view of same;
and, Figure 5 a transverse sectional view thereof.
In the following description of the device according to my invention I will take by
way of illustration the case of one of my improved seed germinators having a tank
capacity of 22 gallons of water.
I provide a wooden frame A some 3 feet long by 2 feet broad, and 2 feet 6 inches
high supported on suitable legs or pedestals and enclosed half way down on all sides
with wood. Into this frame is fitted the galvanized sheet iron tank B above referred
to and which would preferably be 2 feet 9 inches by 1 foot 6 inches, and 6 inches
deep. In the centre and at the botton, of this tank is inserted a well C, 12 inches in
diameter and 4 inches deep with a convex bottom as shown. Through the tank B

page_text: I introduce a series of-in the present case six-tubes preferably of zinc and 14 inch
diameter three from each end with two openings on each tube-o
-one opening at E
inside end of tube say 34 inches from end of tank; the other opening F say
inches
from same.
Both outlets being above the water level. Through these tubes fresh
cold air is admitted and the tubes being disposed in the water in tank, heated as here-
under described, the air is delivered at whatever temperature required. Surrounding
the upper edge of the tank B is a rone, or channel G, also filled with water and in
which the frame or top part of the germinator is received, so as to ensure a sealed or
air tight joint.
The upper or top part H of germinator I prefer to construct of zine, vertical at each
end, and sloping at the sides to say 8 inches at top; fitted with a lid, valve, or door 1
to an opening through which the seeds are introduced and removed.
The upper part H of the germinator is fitted with glass so that any one can see the
progress of germination without opening the case.
In the upper part of the tank aforesaid and above the level of the water and outlets
of the air tubes I fix a tray or shelf J of fine wire netting perforated zine or the like
and cover same with strips of felt, blotting paper or equivalent absorbent material to
serve as a bed for the reception of the seeds. The well C is fitted with stop cock K
and coupling, to a tube leading as shown to the filler L outside of the apparatus, to
allow of the tank being filled with water from outside, and also to allow of emptying
the tank without disturbing the seeds.
Underneath the well C is fitted a Bunsen burner M made of sheet iron 6 inches in
height, inches in diameter at bottom and 2 inches in diameter at top, with brass
wire gauze. Into this cone a gas jet fixed and connected to the nearest gas supply:
and, I find in practice that even with the smallest jet made a number 0 Cockspur
jet this small burner suffices to keep the 22 gallons of water continuously at a
temperature of 70° Faht. at a cost of less than one penny per week.
The whole apparatus can be put together, or taken to pieces in the very brief period
of two minutes, and may if wished be provided with lock and key to ensure against
improper access being had thereto.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim is
First-The improved seed germinator substantially as herein described.
Second-In seed germinators the employment of the particular Bunsen burner
device herein described.
15 20 day of avov
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers, 20, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.