Improvements in Means and Apparatus for Disinfecting Plants, Seeds, and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 11th Jan., 1896:
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means and Apparatus for Disinfecting Plants,
Seeds, and the like.
I, JOHANNES THEODOR WÄGENER of Suderode a/ H in the German Empire,
Gentleman and Magistrate, 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:-
Formaline, which is a solution of formaldehyde, is a very active disinfectant, and
when applied to plants or parts of plants, grain, and seed, it kills off all fungoid
and parasitic growths very quickly, but in order to ensure certainty of action, the
solution must be fairly concentrated, and such a solution, if allowed to be in
contact with the plants or parts of plants grain or seeds for any considerable time,
will act prejudicially. It is the object of this invention to enable the formaldehyde
solution to be employed in such a manner that it can be used to destroy the fungi
and parasites without risk to the plants or parts of plants seeds and the like.
For the purpose of my invention, I apply the formaldehyde solution, preferably
in the shape of spray, and allow it to remain in contact with the substances to be
treated only sufficiently long to kill the fungi and parasites. I then apply
ammonia preferably as hereinafter described, which combines with the formal-
dehyde to produce hexamethylenetetramine upon and in the surface and structure
of the plants or seeds. This substance so produced has a beneficial influence upon
the growth of the plant and the germination of the seeds.
The disinfecting property of the formaldehyde solution may be increased very
considerably by adding thereto diluted solution of chromic acid, the possible
injurious action of which upon the plants and seeds is also prevented by the
subsequent addition of ammonia.
In the open air, and upon growing plants and crops, the successive applications
of the disinfecting solution and of ammonia in solution, may be made by means
of known spraying apparatus or similar distributors. In stoves, greenhouses,
conservatories and the like, the solutions may also be similarly applied.
For the treatment of grain and seeds which have previously been treated with
sulphurous acid, the apparatus illustrated in sectional plan by the accompanying
drawings or any other similar and suitable apparatus may be used.
This apparatus consists of a box or hopper a to which the grain or seed to be
treated is supplied, and from which it passes to the rotary cylinder b¹ fitted with
internal short helical plates c¹ which operate to transport the seed or grain to the
opposite end of the cylinder whence they drop upon the collector plate d. The
solutions to be used are contained in the vessels or tanks P, q each of which is
connected by pipes with a nozzle opposite to the centre of the end of the cylinder.
Between these two nozzles at right angles thereto, there is a third nozzle connected
with a source of air under pressure, a fan or blower, or the like.
The cylinder being rotated by the handles shewn or by power, the seed or grain
having been supplied to the box a and the supply of air turned on, the tap PI
controlling the supply of the formaldehyde solution, is turned on. The action of
the current of air across the nozzles thus causes an injection into the cylinder of
spray of the formaldehyde solution, which is thus diffused upon the grain or seeds.
After a sufficient time, the tap p' is closed, cutting off the disinfecting solution,
and the tap q is turned on, permitting the ammonia solution to be in turn injected

page_text: into the cylinder, where it combines with the formaldehyde or the formaldehyde
and chromic acid solution as hereinbefore described.
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 I
claim is :-
1. The hereinbefore described process for disinfecting plants grain, seeds, and
the like, and which consists of the application thereto of a solution of formaldehyde
alone or of a solution of formaldehyde and chromic acid, and the subsequent
application of a solution of ammonia, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
2. The apparatus herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawing for the purpose of successively applying separate solutions to grain, seeds,
..and the like, constructed arranged and operated substantially as set forth.
Dated this 6th day of December A D 1805
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.