IMPROVEMENTS IN DIBBLING MACHINERY FOR DEPOSITING GRAIN AND MANURE
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Jacques Henri Marie Maissiat, of Paris, in tho
Empire of France, Chemist, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
DIBBLING MACHINERY FOR DEPOSITING GRAIN AND MANURE," to be as
follows:-
Sealed the 1st September 1858, and dated the 6th March 1858.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Jacques Henri Marie
Maissiat at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 6th March 1858.
I, JACQUES HENRI MARIE MAISSIAT, of Paris, in the Empire of France,
Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN DIBBLING MACHINERY FOR DEPOSITING GRAIN AND MANURE." to be as
follows:-
This new dibbler is represented in the Drawings annexed, in which Fig. 1,
Sheet 1, shows the central vertical section of the dibbling apparatus complete.
Fig. 2, Sheet 1, plan of the same apparatus, supposing the reservoirs of seed
and manure to be removed. Figs. 3 and 4, Sheet 1, details, drawn to a larger
scale of the double share, serving to cover the soil over the seed after the passage
of the dibble. Figs. 5 and 6, Sheet 1, details of the measuring clack valve.
Figs. 7 and 8, details of the dosing or measuring cup, and its junction to the
cylinder. Fig. 9, Sheet 1, section of the ground after the apparatus has
completely passed over it. Fig. 10, Sheet 1, arrangement of the hollow spurs
placed in the interior of the cylinder for guiding the seed into the dosing

page_text: cups. Fig. 1, Sheet 2, central vertical section of another arrangement of the
same apparatus modified. In all these Figures similar letters of reference
indicate like parts where they recur.
a, first frame of wood, and formed of four cross beams a, a', a", a", con-
nected together in a rectangular form by tenons or by other means. b, second
frame, formed like the first, of timbers b, b', b", "", "", connected together; this
frame is jointed to one of the cross beams of the first frame a. c, lever, which
the attendant lowers with his hand in order to raise frame b; this lever is held
in its various positions by pins fixed to the apparatus. d, shaft, on which the
apparatus is mounted; it traverses the two side timbers.
e, e, e, wheels,
placed on shaft d; their felloes or peripheries are of such form, that by passing
over the ground they form a trench preparatory to placing the seed in the
ground. Thus, these wheels are separate, and rendered independent of each
other in order that the apparatus may be readily turned. f, shaft of the dibble
properly so called; it bears at its two extremities on the frame 6, and is free
to revolve on its own axis. g, driving pulley, placed on any part of the wheel e,
near side beam a"". h, second pulley, firmly fixed on shaft f. i, strap, trans-
mitting motion from pulley g to pulley h, and extended by the stretcher
"j, interior case of the dibble; this case contains the seed to be sown. k,
small pipes or tubes, soldered to case j; they are intended to conduct the seed
from reservoir j into the ground. 2, knees, placed at the extremity of tubes k,
so as to let the seed fall at the proper time only. m, exterior case of the
dibble; it contains pulverised manure intended to be placed in the ground at
the same time as the seed of the furrow. n, apertures made in case m for
the passage of the manure, in case it is desired to place the manure throughout
the length of the furrow. o, small tube, placed at each aperture n, when the
manure is to be placed at certain intervals only. p, shaft fixed to cross beam
a' by means of several supports. q, q, double turn-fallows, or shares fixed to
shaft p, by means of bosses of sufficient size to prevent their shaking; they
pass between each row of sowing tubes k, and are intended to raise the ground
on each side of the seed, so as to bury it; but they at the same time hollow
out furrows of such depth that in case of rain the seed is never immersed.
r, r, rods, fixed at one extremity to the double shares, and at the other to
cross bar b'; they are intended to raise the double shares at the same time as
frame b. When the apparatus is no longer in use, they are also furnished
with bolts, which allow of the double shares being placed a suitable depth in
the ground, 8, 8, cross bars, forming a third and upper frame intended to
contain the liquid and pulverized manure, and also the seed. t, t, cases, mado
of metal or other material, intended to contain the liquid manure; these boxes

page_text: communicate together at the lower and upper parts, and act on Mariotte's
principle, that is to say, always with a constant pressure, which is such as not
to allow the manure to escape, except in small quantities. u, stop cock and
tube, intended to project the liquid manure on to the ground. v, funnel for
introducing the liquid manure into reservoirs t, t. x, cock for the escape of
air when the liquid manure is put into reservoirs (, t. y, first tube, serving as
the lower communication between reservoirs t, t. , second tube, serving as
the upper communication between reservoirs t, t. c', first vessel placed between
reservoirs t, t; it is intended to contain the pulverized manure. d', second
vessel placed beside the first d, and intended to contain the seed. é',
first channel, made of elastic material conducting the pulverized manure from
capacity c' into reservoir m of the dibble properly so called. f', second channel
conducting the seed from capacity & into reservoir j. g', shafts fixed to cross
beam a"". h', measuring or dosing valve, formed of two curved metal plates,
soldered back to back. ', wire fixed to the middle and extremities of the
clack valve to prevent vibration. j', small supports fixed between each dosing
valve; they are soldered to the dibbling roller, and serve to support the wire
throughout its course. k', hollow spurs soldered to the dibbling roller; they
serve to conduct the seed on to the dosing clack valves. 1', ', dosing cups,
serving to measure the exact number of seeds to be sown. m', thin bar of sheet
iron, in which holes are made, into which the cups l', l', enter. n', case, also
made of sheet iron; it completely encases plate m', and cups l', l, which are thus
made all of a piece and can be disconnected separately. o', slide soldered to
the dibbling roller, into which the case n' slides, and which renders the dis-
connecting and changing of the dosing cups casy. p', trace or furrow mado
in the ground by the passage of wheels e, e, and into which the seed is deposited.
1', furrow formed by the double ploughshares q, which cover over the seed
left by the dibble on both siles. Supposing the apparatus mounted, as
indicated by the Drawings, and furnished with either liquid or pulverized
manure and seed, its action will be readily understood. All the cocks being
open, and the horse placed in the shafts, it will be easily understood that in the
movement of the apparatus, when drawn by the borre, the wheels e will turn
on their axis d and will press the whole of their projecting part into the
ground and form the furrow ready to receive the seed. One of these wheels
in its rotary motion carries with it a pulley g, which may be made larger or
smaller at will. This pulley, by means of a strap i, transmits motion to the
pulley h, placed in the shaft f. This shaft has thus a rotary motion imparted
to it, which gives a certain movement to the manure and seed contained in
two reservoirs mounted on this shaft. Each seed is conducted by the spars k

page_text: into the dosing cups l', after having passed the valves h'; thence it enters tho
small tubes k, which conduct it at the suitable moment into the furrow p'.
The manure on its part leaves the reservoir through the apertures n and
falls into the furrow p' during nearly the whole course. If it be desired to
put the manure in certain places only, it suffices to fix small tubes o to the
apertures n, which would deposit the manure only at a given moment and at
certain distances.
After the passage of the dibble, and after the manure and the seed have been
put into the ground, the double shares q trace furrows intermediate of those
already traced, and cover these first furrows over with a certain quantity of
soil. During this time the cock u has poured the liquid manure into the furrow.
If, during the sowing, the manure or seed in the reservoirs is all used,
the horse is stopped and the channels & and f' are fixed to reservoirs j and m,
and the necessary quantity of manure or seed is allowed to flow in. The
apertures are then closed by means of plugs.
The second apparatus represented at Fig. 1, Sheet 2, is a modified arrange-
ment of the preceeding apparatus. ', first wheel, which supports the front
part of the apparatus; it is composed of one part only, because this apparatus
does not turn on the front part. s', dibbling roller furnished like the first with
double tubes for the manure and seed which are deposited in the traces left by
the wheel r. t', wheel placed behind the apparatus; it follows the trace left
in the ground by the double shares q, because the rotation on the ground is
effected at this point; this wheel is divided into six parts, entirely indepen-
dent of each other. u', first rectangular frame, placed on wheel t'. v,
second frame, which is also rectangular; it is placed on wheel r. a, cross
beam, serving as a fixed point of rotation for framo v, round framo u'.
y', first roller, furnished with a crank handle. 2, second roller, acting as
a pully. a", endless strap fixed to roller 3', passing round roller, and
rolling itself round the first roller y' when it revolves. It is by means of
these two rollers that the front part of the apparatus is raised. ", case,
divided into two compartments, one serving to hold the grain and tho
other the pulverized manure. c", second case, serving to hold tho liquid
manure; it pours it on the ground by means of the double level cock u, when
it is desired to stop working. ", castors or rollers, on which the cross beams
supporting cases b" and c" slide. f", roller furnished with a crank, on which
is wound a strap fixed to the extremity of the cross beams, supporting cases
"and"; by the motion of the roller the cases are moved more to the back
part of the apparatus, so as to adjust the equilibrium when the front part is
raised.
", seat place in front of the apparatus for the driver. h", blocks

page_text: in the shape of wedges placed under the frame. This apparatus, mounted as
indicated by the Drawings, has, as seen, more the shape of a waggon than the
first, but acts just like it as regards putting the manure and seed into the
ground and forming the furrows. It may already have been remarked, that
in this apparatus the front part is lifted off the ground when the work is con-
cluded, but this in no way changes the action of the apparatus, and I will not
describe this action, it being identical with that of the preceding apparatus.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Jacques Henri Marie Maissiat in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 4th September 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JACQUES HENRI
MARIE MAISSIAT, of Paris, in the Empire of France, Chemist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year of Ier reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Jacques Henri Marie Maissiat, Her special licence that I, the said Jacques
Henri Marie Maissiat, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Jacques Henri Marie Maissiat, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man,
an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN DIBBLING MACHINERY FOR DEPOSITING
GRAIN AND MANURE," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
Jacques Henri Marie Maissiat, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar mouths next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Jacques Henri Marie Maissiat, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, (that is to

page_text: 4thly, a reservoir of liquid manure, which is distributed in lines in regulated
proportions, with a constant flow on the principle of Mariotte's flask.
5thly, cast-iron ploughshares with a double turn-fallow, and turning on
axes and disposed between the lines of sowing.
6thly, the machine is completed by a second or pressing roller, consisting of
a wood cylinder with an undulating surface, according to the form of ridge
it is required to produce.
In the Drawings hereunto annexed is represented a complete apparatus,
showing also the details of the dibbling roller.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through the centre of the apparatus;
Fig. 2, a transverse vertical section through the centre of the pressing roller ;
Fig. 8 is a plan of the apparatus with the cover removed; Fig. 4 is a section
of the dibbling roller, showing the arrangement of the conducting channels for
the seed and manure in powder; Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, show details of the
methods of fixing the cups for measuring or proportioning the seed, and
the interior conducting channels for conveying the seed and manure to the
inner surface of the dibbling cylinder.
The same letters of reference indicate like parts where they recur in all the
Figures.
a, first framing of wood, consisting of two longitudinal beams a, a', and 4
cross pieces a³, a³, a', a³, connected together by tenons or by through bolts;
b, cast-iron blocks bearing on the axis of the impressing cylinder, which blocks
receive the longitudinal beams a and a' of the frame a, so as to allow of its
oscillating on the principal shaft when required by the attendant; c, second
frame, also of wood, formed like the first of two side bars c, d, and four cross
pieces c, c, c, c, connected together by means of bolts; d, cast-iron socket
picces placed on the shaft of the impressing roller, permitting the frame c to
oscillate round the carrying shaft; e, third frame of wood, formed of two
longitudinal beams e and e, connected by means of hinges to a shaft turning
in supports on frame a, which allows of the frame e occupying different
positions in relation to the first frame a; it is terminated at the back by a
transverse pieces, connected to two others e and e² by means of bolts; f,
shaft of suspension supported in pedestals on frame a; it sustains the frame e
by means of hinges, which allow of its being raised or lowered as required, by
the attendant, so that the frame e may take different positions above the
ground; it is held in these positions by means of a catch placed on an upper
lever, which is attached to different parts of this lever; g, fourth frame,
oscillating on two points fixed to frame a; it is formed of two side bars
9' and 92; h, sla't carrying the apparatus; on this shaft are placed the sockets

page_text: pieces and d supporting frames a and c; i, i, wheels of cast iron, five in
number, mounted loosely on shaft h, the centre one only being keyed, which
communicates motion to shaft h and to the other parts of the machine by
means of straps. These wheels are all of equal size; their peripheries are
furnished with a suitable projecting part for penetrating the soil by pressure,
leaving behind a small regular furrow of a suitable depth and at a given level,
which is itself determined by the resistance of the ground to the penetration
of the periphery of the wheel and by the weight of the apparatus, which tends
to compress the ground; in this drill or furrow the seed is deposited. This
arrangement of coupling wheels together in the form of a roller serves instead
of bearing wheels for transporting the machine from the farm to the fields to
be cultivated, and vice versa. j, dibbing roller, mounted on a shaft turning
in bearings on frame e. This roller has rotary motion imparted to it by means
of pullies and straps transmitting it from the principal shaft h. The grain is
placed in the interior of this roller j, and remains always at the bottom part,
where it is intercepted by measuring cups k (seen at Figure 4) fitted to the
interior surface of the roller, which cups plunging into the seed are filled accord-
ing to their form and capacity with one or several sceds; the seed is then emptied
by a valve or shutter 1, which opens when the seed cup has reached a certain
point of its course (when it is turned upside down) to allow of the exit of the
seed; the seed then falls the whole length of an inclined conducting channel
m till it reaches the elbow or anglo n, where it is arrested a moment in its
passage, and remains until the precise instant and point has arrived at which
it is to be placed in the ground, with which it is then almost in contact. 0,
distributing cylinder of the pulverized manure (seen in section Figure 4). This
cylinder has the same motion as the dibbling roller; its interior construction is
also precisely the same; the distributing pipes m may however be omitted;
it is placed in the front of the machine, and communicates with the reservoir
by means of a tubo of canvass or other material. These rollers or cylinders
jando receive motion from the principal shaft by means of pullies, whose
size may be varied as required, so that their relative speed may be regulated
at will, which affords a new method of proportioning the quantity of seed
distributed in addition to that obtained by the variable capacity of the seed
cups; thus it will be seen by this arrangement that not only the number of
seeds and the quantity may be altered or changed as required, but also the
distance between the deposits of seed in the ground. This cylinder, instead of
being combined with the dibbling roller, may be placed in front of the
machine and change its position for the second operation, when manure only
is distributed on the top of the ground around the plants. For this purpose

page_text: the front frame is made much wider than the manure cylinder, so that this
cylinder may have motion endways and distribute manure right and left
between the furrows made by the wheels i and the ploughshares, which will
be herein-after described.
When sowing, the manure cylinder is held in a central position and
distributes manure invariably in the tracks in which the wheels of the principal
roller follow; p, reservoir of liquid manure; it is shown in the clevation, Fig.
1, placed above the axis of the principal roller, so that the great variation in
the quantity of liquid during the agricultural operation shall not influence the
balance of the machine. q, funnel, placed at the upper part of the reservoir
serving for filling in the manure; r, grating, placed at the mouth of the
reservoir p, for stopping the solid matters which may be presented; s, pipe,
placed below the funnel 9 intended to conduct the manure at once below the
lower part of the reservoir into well s', to guard against the alterations of position
during the different operations effected by this apparatus. This arrangement of
wells' in the bottom of the reservoir is necessary for the purpose of insuring a
constant flow, the reservoir only receiving air from the funnel, and the bottom
being required to be at a suitable height above the orifice of the distributor,
to allow of the liquid flowing out; this well s' is fitted between the two
running wheels, and does not hinder the working of the apparatus. The
liquid manure distributor may move transversely, so as to pour the manure
first on the track or course followed by the wheels of the principal roller; and
then between them, right and left, as may be required, in the same manner
as the cylinder with the pulverised manure; t, box of wood placed on cross
picces a, a', and on a, a, completely enclosing the reservoir of liquid manure
p; it serves at the same time as a reservoir for powdered manure, which is
distributed from it to two cylinders by means of suitable channels; this box or
case is finished with a roof or covering extending above the dibbling roller
to protect it from the rain; u, seat, placed on the box t for the use of the
attendant when conducting the apparatus from the fields; v, ploughshares,
placed between the seed distributing tubes for covering the earth on the seed
and manure deposited and forming ridges, one ridge for each line of sceds, and
subsequently, at the second operation when the seed has sprung up; these
shares when placed in front of the machine (as shown in red, Figs. 1 & 3,)
hoe the spaces between the rows, and earth up the plants at the same time
that the manure cylinders distribute their contents on the top surface. In the
first operation the shares are fixed to the cross piece a³, and are raised at the
same time as the whole machine, and in the second operation they are fixed
to a cross piece o hinged to frame c, which allows the regulating of the depth

page_text: of their entry into the soil; this cross piece is held by means of an oblong ring,
which by varying its position raises or lowers the level of the shares. * pressing
roller consisting of a cylinder of wood with a regularly grooved or undulating
surface, according to the size of the ridges to be formed. This roller may be
regulated, if required, by means of a platform fixed to the frame; it finally rolls
the ground to its proper form and completes the operation; it is mounted on
frame g behind the machine; y, cross piece, for supporting the shares, and
removing them from the ground; (it is placed in front of box i for the second
operation, as seen in red, Figs. 1 & 3.), lever for stopping the whole
machine fixed to box t, which moves with it; at its extreme back end is fixed
the cross piece y, which raises the shares from the ground when the work is to
be stopped; when the lever z has acted in this manner the wheels ' only bear
on the ground, and the machine is then converted into a mere carriage, which
may be turned round short and drawn in any required direction; aº, windlass,
placed in front of the machine intended for working lever ; for this purpose,
it is furnished with lever arms, which may be turned by the attendant, the
movement of the windlass winding on a cord fixed to the front part of lever z.
If manual strength is not sufficient by the single cord, it may be replaced by
a tackle, which will increase the force while diminishing the speed, speed not
being necessary in this operation; all the parts above described are in contact
with the soil, and touch it or are nearly contact with it during the operation.
For turning round at the end of a field, several turns of the windlass is suffi-
cient to raise all the parts except the wheels i from the ground, such being
effected by a simple rocking movement of the apparatus on the axle of the
principal roller or wheels, which then bears the whole weight of the apparatus,
at the same time the strap pullies are thrown out of gear by reason of their
nearing each other, which occasions a slackening of the straps; the flow of
liquid manure is also suspended by the stoppage of the source of supply. All
the parts of the field being operated upon, and the different parts of the
machine raised as described, it may now return to the homestead.
It yet remains to form the furrows, for which purpose it suffices to pass
over with the machine acting by the wheels v, only the several ridges formed by
the depressions of the soil, and the watercourses are at once perfected by
pressure without injury to the seed. By reducing this machine to the principal
roller, with the seed distributor or the dibbler, the shares and the pressing
roller, a simple and improved dibbling roller is obtained.
Details of the distributing cylinder (Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8).- measuring or
dosing valve formed of two curved metal plates soldered back to back; this
valve is mounted on the interior surface of the cylinder; c' wire fixed at its

page_text: middle and at both extremities to the clack valve b', which prevents all vibration;
this wire is held on the interior surface of the cylinder by supports placed
between each valve; d', small supports serving to hold the wire c' throughout
its length; e', measuring or dosing cups, serving to measure the exact number
of grains required to be sown; f', plate of thin sheet iron, in which openings
are formed for placing the cups c', d; g', casing, also of sheet iron, completely
enclosing the plato f', and cups c', e', which are thus rendered solid and
compact, and may also be taken to pieces after the operation is complete; h',
guide, groove, or channel soldered to the dibbling cylinder, in which the casing
slides, rendering the detachment of the parts and the change of the
measuring cups easy. The distributing cylinders may be of wood, and all the
conducting tubes unite for a single line of sowing, and with a single ridge
made on the periphery, and composed of three thicknesses of wood, of which
the middle thickness suitably formed and partly removed or omitted so as
to form conducting channels. This arrangement would be extremely econo-
mical, and allow of the cylinder being opened like an ordinary box, which is
very desirable.
Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, I declare that what I claim as my Invention, to be secured
by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is the machine above
described for performing all kinds of agricultural operations by means of parts
specially adapted therefore, as herein-before described, or any mere modifi-
cation thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jacques Henri Marie Maissiat, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this First day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
J. H. M. MAISSIAT.
(L.S.)