51/153

This seed drill was used for sowing small seeds such as turnips or swedes. The seeds were carried in a metal cylinder which was rotated by two cracks attached between the ends of the cylinder and the wheel. The cylinder was filled with seed through a hole at one end and the seed was distributed through a series of smaller holes round the surface. The seed fell into a wide mouthed coulter tube which continued down into the soil to just behind the coulter itself.

1 seed drill: metal, wood

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘This drill was used for sowing small seeds such as turnips or swedes. The seeds were carried in a metal cylinder which was rotated by two cracks attached between the ends of the cylinder and the wheel. The cylinder was filled with seed through a hole at one end and the seed was distributed through a series of smaller holes round the surface. They fell into a wide mouthed coulter tube which continued down into the soil to just behind the coulter itself. The coulter could be adjusted for depth. The wheel is of very good proportions and has an iron rim. The drill when out of use rests on two legs one of which is a reproduction. The whole implement is 58 inches long. Diameter of wheel 21 ins.’, MERL list / description [Massingham Collection, October 1989] – 'ACC. NO.: 51/153 // NAME: HAND DRILL // NEG NO.: 35/168 // STORAGE: ', MERL ‘Conservation Record’ – ‘Name: seeder // Date: 2.4.55 // part/whole: treatment: cleaned // part/whole: repair: Plugs fitted into holes in handles.’

1825-01-01 - 1874-12-31

Mid-nineteenth century

Wood, Metal