Improvements in Dibbling Apparatus.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 4th Mar., 1886
Improvements in Dibbling Apparatus.
I, GEORG KARL SPITZENBERG Imperial Ranger, of Frankfurter Niederlage,
near Briesen, Mark Brandenburg, in the Empire of Germany, 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 :--
The object of this invention is to provide improved means for making holes in
the ground of a suitable shape for receiving young plants.
In the annexed drawings
Fig. 1 is a side elevation and Fig. 2 a plan view of this invention in the form of
a vehicular machine to be drawn by a draught animal. Fig. 3 is a plan of a
modified form thereof.
Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the cutters from different sides.
Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are views of the same constructed as a hand tool or "dibber."
Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are views of the same made as a larger hand implement similar
to a spade. Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are similar views of a modified form thereof.
Figs. 14, 15 and 16 are similar views of another modified form.
The device for making the holes aforesaid in intended to form a hole of such
shape that a plant or cutting may be placed vertically therein and have a normal
straight root direction, all such holes being of uniform size, shape and depth to
ensure uniformity in the planting.
The cutter 87 by which such hole is made is of the following shape. On the
One face it is flat and on the other face it is rounded semicircularly while its
thickness diminishes from its uppermost end or shoulder down to near its point or
lower end where it is bevelled off to form a small horizontal cutting edge in
continuation of the two cutting edges formed by the junction of the flat face with
the rounded face, which latter cutting edges are either straight (as in Fig. 5) or
eurved (as in Figs. 1, 4, 9, 12, and 15), the tool being in each case tapered in
breadth from the upper end or shoulder to its lower edge or point.
In the lower point is fixed a thin cutting blade 88 projecting vertically
downwards from the bevelled portion aforesaid to a short distance, its lower edge
being horizontal and its side edges respectively alligned with the axes of the flat
and the round faces of the body 87 of the cutter. On the rounded side of the body
from the upper end to a suitable distance down the said rounded surface extends an
angular projection 89 the outer face of which is flat and more incliued from the
vertical than the rounded face of the cutter body.
The flattening extends some distance down the centre of the rounded face being
gradually lost in the round of the face. This swelling 89 will widen the hole or
slit in order to allow of a more convenient insertion of the plant and a better
control of its actual position owing to the larger amount of light thus admitted to
the hole and lastly compress the earth and tend to prevent particles of earth from
dropping down the slit wall when the cutter is withdrawn. The flat straight
surface of the cutter 87 may at the top be provided with a projection 91 serving to
show an exact measure of depth for regulating the depth of insertion of the plant.
This device may be mounted on wheels for producing slits and is shown in
Figs. 1 to 3 in two methods of construction.
On the wheel 4 curved plates or fellies 92 (Fig. 4) carrying the slit cutters 89
may be bolted. The weights 14 may be supplemented by the weight of the driver.
with advantage for producing the necessary pressure and in this case the removable
saddle 15 is fitted for the driver.

page_text: The wheels 98 which are by means of the frame 43 connected to the fore
frame, 8, serve to prevent the apparatus from tipping over when provided with
only one wheel 4.
The machine shown in plan view in Fig. 3 has two wheels 4 provided with slit
cutters 87 which for securing a better distribution of the plants in the space at
disposal are arranged in alternating rows as shown at 97.
These slit cutting implements may be made also for hand use.
The implement or "dibber" illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 consists of the slit cutter 87
and of the handle 93 obliquely arranged thereon. This implement is used in a
kneeling position.
In the implements shown in Figs. 8 to 16, the weight of the body of the person
working can be utilized for facilitating the work connected with the producing of
the slit. These implements are therefore provided with stems or shafts 40) which
have handles 96 at the top and plates 39 below on which latter the slit cutters 87
are fixed so as to be exchangeable. These hand implements which are used in a
standing position are constructed in such a manner as to allow of an easy handling
while the foot can be put on them below.
The two slit cutters 87 are displaceably fixed to the plate 39 so as to be capable
of being caused to approach or recede from one another.
A displaceable marking wheel 94 serves for designating the interval between the
next slit section.
Figs 14 to 16 show an implement which is similar in construction to that
represented in Figs. 11 to 13 in which the position of the slit cutters 87 towards
the handling part 40 is modified.
The cutting of the slit for inserting the plant is effected by applying the necessary
pressure with a forward and backward movement.
The implements shown in Figs. 8 to 10 serve principally for occasional planting
whilst the implement shown in Figs. 5 and 6 serves likewise for odd planting
and can be used not only for cutting slits but also for inserting the plant and closing
the slit.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
J claim is ;-
1. A device for forming slits or holes for the reception of plants or cuttings,
consisting of a tapered body 87 having a flat face and a rounded face joining to
form cutting edges at the sides and bevelled below to form a horizontal cutting
edge.
2. A device for forming slits or holes for the reception of plants or cuttings
consisting of a tapered body 87 having a flat face and a rounded face joining to
form cutting edges at the sides and bevelled below to form a horizontal cutting
edge, the latter carrying a transverse cutting blade 88.
3. A device for forming slits or holes for the reception of plants or cuttings
consisting of a tapered body 87 having a fiat face and a rounded face joining to
form cutting edges at the sides and bevelled below to form a horizontal cutting
edge, the latter carrying a transverse cutting blade 88, and having down the contre
of the rounded face a flattened portion extended ontward above to form an angular
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicant.

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 4th Mar., 1896.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Use in and Connected with the
Planting of Seeds.
I, GEORG KARL SPITZENBERG Imperial Ranger of Frankfurter Niederlage,
near Briesen, Mark Brandenburg, in the Empire of Germany 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 :-
This invention relates to means for use in and connected with the planting of
seeds, that is to say for the preparation of the soil, the formation of seed drills,
the planting of the seed, and covering and pressing down the latter.
The improved apparatus for this purpose is constructed for arboriculture,
horticulture or agricultural use and for this purpose is made as a rotary or vehicular
device and as a simple hand tool.
Figs. 1 to 5 of the annexed drawing illustrate the former construction. Figs. 6
to 10 the latter construction of this apparatus.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 the seed drills are produced by the drill rollers or
drilling wheels 8 keyed upon the shaft 2 of the frame 1, the felloe pieces of these
drilling wheels or rollers are fixed on the tire so as to be exchangeable in order
that according to the species of seed to be sown the drill pressing forms may be
made of different suitable shapes. Beside the drilling rollers 3 there is upon a
lateral bar 30 turning on a pivot in the centre of frame 1 a marking wheel 31 for
designating the distance for the next drill and this by the rotation of the bar 30
can be thrown to the one or the other side of the implement.
In front of the drilling rollers 3 run the knife rakes 26 which serve for soil
loosening, for levelling uneveness, or refreshing the dried up soil surface. For
keeping the drilling rollers 3 clean scrapers 4 are provided which are displaceable
toward the rollers 3 as well as in a lateral direction.
The device for spreading the seed and covering the same will be seen from the
whole arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Behind the seed hoppers 11 described
hereinafter run the seed covering or spread rollers 7, which are fixed to the
Irame 1 by means of freely moving arms 5, and the circumference of which rollers 7
is formed by transverse bars or knives which latter during the rotary movement
of the rollers 7 will, by engaging into the ground, spread a covering layer over
the seed or if necessary mix the same with the earth.
Behind the rollers 7 run the smooth pressing rollers 26 which are likewise
arranged in the frame 1 and which serve for pressing down the covering layer of
earth. To provide that the present method may be applicable under all conditions
occurring in cultivation; the devices which serve for covering and pressing down
the seed are also constructed in form of hand implements.
Behind the wheels 3 rest the spring supported seed hoppers 11 which according
to the kind of drills to be drawn, possess one or more seed holes and can be
laterally adjusted to suit the chosen distance between the drills.
Behind the seed chutes 9 are brooms 10 for sweeping the seeds-which have
remained lying on the ridges of earth-into the drills. The seed ohest 11 is
divided into two compartments by a removable wall 12 and in the bottom of
each compartment is a bucket wheel 18 for feeding the seed. (Figs. 4 and 5.)
By this arrangement it is possible to sow separately two different kinds of seed
at the same time.

page_text: These bucket wheels 13 are made exchangeable so as to suit any kind of Beed,
the lower part of the seed box being likewise exchangeable.
For the immediate starting and stopping of the seed feeding machinery a
lever 15 is arranged on one of the handles 14. This lever is connected by means
of a draw bar 16 with the bell crauk 17 pivoted on the frame 1. The one arm of
the bell crank 17 is forked to engage a collar on the bevelled wheel 18, which is
set in rotary motion by the prismatic shaft 19. The bevelled wheel 18 on lifting
the lever 15 is thrown out of gear with the bevelled wheel 21 keyed on the
shaft 20 of the seed feeding or bucket wheels 13 and the shaft 20 comes to a
standstill. The shaft 19 receives its movement by the gearing of the bevelled
wheels 22 and 23 from the shaft 2 of the drilling wheels 3.
The simple implement for producing seed drills only is constructed as a drill
drawer for hand use (as in Figs. 6 to 8) with exchangeable drilling rollers 3
(Fig. 9) or drill pressers (Fig. 10).
The drill drawer for hand use shown in Figs. and 7 carries besides the
rake 29 serving for working the soil, the drilling roller 3 beside which latter upon
a removable bar 30 a displaceable marking wheel 31 arranged for designating the
distance for the next following drill. The other end of the handle 28 of this
hand drill drawer may be also provided with two (Fig. 6) or more rollers such as
covering roller 7 and pressing roller 25. Analogous to the vehicular drill
pullers the simple hand drill pullers have scrapers 32, 33 for cleaning the rollers.
The adjustment of the drilling rollers 3 with regard to the depth to be attained
is effected by attaching or detaching nave rings 35 (Fig. 9) which are slid over
the projecting naves of the rollers 3 and may be fixed by means of screws.
The rollers 7 may have blades 8 of any suitable shape and may also be fitted
with nave rings 34 to vary the penetrative power.
The hand implement shown in Figs. 6 to 10 is used in an analogous manner
to the vehicular implement. The soil is first raked with rake 29, the seed drills
are then made with roller 3. The tool is then reversed, and after the seeds have
been placed in the drills, the roller 7 is used to cover them and the roller 25 to
press down the covering earth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion and in what mauner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. An implement for use in connection with seed culture having journalled to:
revolve in its frame, one or more covering rollera 7 on the circumference of which
ribs 8 are made for the purpose of spreading earth over seeds lying in seed drills
in the manner described.
2. In the tool described in Claim 1 the combination with the seed covering
rollers 7 of one or more drill rollers 3 and one or more pressure rollers 25 for
the production, respectively of seed drills, and compression of the covering earth
replaced by the covering rollers.
Uated this 4th day of Merah 1845
Jated this 4th day of March 1845
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, London, W.C., Agents to Applicant.

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 4th Mar., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Preparation of the Soil for the
Planting of Seeds and Plants, and in Means therefor.
I, GEORG KARL SPITZENBERG, Imperial Ranger, of Frankfurter Niederlage,
near Briesen, Mark Brandenburg, in the Empire of Germany, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to lic
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to a method of preparing the soil for the reception of
seeds and plants more especially destined for arboriculture, but which may also be
employed for horticulture and agriculture in general, and it includes the means
necessary for carrying this method into effect.
The treatment of the ground is, apart from exceptional cases, effected after
removing any superficial incrustation or encumbrance there may be on the ground,
in such a way that the uppermost layer which is usually the newest and most
fertile is mixed with the lower portion to the desired depth of loosening, while on
the whole the upper layer is retained in its natural position with regard to the
lower portion of the soil; that is to say without a turning over of the ground or
a reversing of the strata respectively from their existing position and without
leaving a distinot boundary or division between the loosened and the unloosened
ground. Both this reversing of the ground and distinct division between the
loosened and nnloosened ground occur in the ordinary use of a plough, or spade,
and are extremely unfavourable to the developement of the plants and especially
to the cultivation of tree plants because the overturning of the soil causes tree
plants to form abnormal or unnatural systems of roots, while moreover a distinct
division between loose and hard ground, not only hinders the normal extension by
growth of the roots but under many circumstances favours the drying up of the
loosened mould or stratum. The above new method of loosening the ground is
according to this invention put into practice by means of certain loosening
implements modified according to the special conditions as illustrated in the
annexed drawings, and described hereinafter; these implements engaging the soil
outwardly and moving therein or thereunder with a burrowing or grubbing motion,
so that these implements may be fitly termed grubbing tools.
In the sunexed drawings
Fig. 1 is an elevation and Fig. 2 a plan showing a vehicular soil loosening
machine.
Figs. 3 and 4 represent a simple hand tool with circular arrangement of the
loosening members for loosening the soil.
Figs. 5 to 8 show a simple hand tool with rectilinear arrangement of the loosening
members for loosening the ground.
The above mentioned loosening of the ground is effected by loosening members
which cut from outside into the soil, and have a grubbing motion therein. These
loosening members consist of longitudinal cutters 1 and transversal cutters 2
which may be connected to one another and arranged above one another, or fulfill
the same purpose by being arranged separately on the implement so as to follow
one another.
The hand driven implement mounted on wheels and shown in Figs. 1 and 2
consists of the rollers 4 located in the fore frame 3, which said rollers, carry the
longitudinal cutters 1, and of the rollers 6 located in the hind frame 5, upon which
latter rollers the transverse cutters 2 are arranged.

page_text: For the farther disintegration and mixing of the soil the rear frame 5 carries the
knives or rakes 8 on springing holders 7. For loading the apparatus the charging
box 9 is provided. and for drawing it along the pull straps 11 attached to the pull
rods 10 to be used in conjunction with the pulling handle 12.
The longitudinal and transverse cutter rollers 4 and 6 may also be used separately,
which is for instance desirable where the draught power is insufficient and where
the working of both kinds of rollers at the same time, that is the one following the
other, would be too difficult. In this case the hind frame 5 is detached from the
fore frame 3, and the frame 3 with wheels 4 is drawn over the strip of soil to be
loosened.
Thereupon the longitudinal cutter rollers 4 are replaced by the transverse cutter
rollers 6 and the soil is again traversed.
If the machine is to be pushed instead of being pulled along, the pull rods 10 with
the pull straps 11 are detached, the rakes 8 are removed from the rear rake bar and
fixed to the fore rake bar 13 arranged on the handle 12. For facilitating the
pushing in this case the weight box 9 may be placed slightly further from the
handle, that is, in direction of the propulsion.
In the simple hand instrument shown in Fig. 3 the longitudinal cutters I and
transverse cutters 2 respectively forming the rollers 4 and 6 are arranged above one
another.
This latter implement is used for loosening about one step width of the soil,
first the longitudinal cutters 1 and subsequently the transverse cutters 2 being
pressed down and run along the soil.
The hand implement shown in Figs. 5 to 8 serving for soil loosening and called a
grubbing spade has the longitudinal cutters 1 and transverse cutters 2 arranged
rectilinearly and the one set above the other. These soil loosening members
arranged in suitable number and size are fixed on a rail 15 which is exchangeably
connected to the rail 16 of the handling portion 17 of the tool so that the soil
loosening members may according to the respective conditions be replaced by others
(Figs. 7 and 8).
The grubbing spade is more especially adapted for loosening small patches of
soil.
Between the blades 1, 2, there may be other shorter blades 18 for the more
effective loosening of the soil more immediately at the surface.
The tool is provided with the handles 19, 19, by means of which it may be rocked
backwards and forwards while it is pressed into the soil by the pressure of the foot
on the rail 16.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
alaim is :-
A soil loosening implement for use in arboriculture horticulture or agriculture
having longitudinal and transverse blades and adapted to be used for loosening the
soil from the surface downwards to a desired depth without overturning the