Object number
51/371
Description
This is a small wooden push drill for planting seeds dating from the mid-nineteenth century. The wheel rotates a small brush in the seed box on the right hand side, and the flow of seeds is controlled by a perforated metal plate over an opening in the box. The seeds are then carried to the edge of the wheel by a metal chute. The donor obtained the drill from Thomas Pither, whose family had lived at Woodley Farm in Woodley, Berkshire, for 200 years.
Physical description
1 seed drill: wood; metal
Label Text
<DIV STYLE="text-align:Justify;font-family:Georgia;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16;color:#000000;"><P><SPAN><SPAN>7. <B>Seed Sower</B><P> 51/371</SPAN></SPAN></P></DIV>
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This is a small push drill used for sowing small seeds. It is made of wood and painted blue. The wheel, which is solid with a metal rim, rotates a small brush in the seed box on the right hand side. The flow of seeds is controlled by a metal plate over the aperture to the box which has holes of different sizes in it. There is a metal chute from the seed box to carry the seed down to the edge of the wheel. The drill appears to have been made about 1860 or 70 [handwritten note says '1850 on original form']. Mr. Goodey obtained it from Thomas Pither of Woodley Farm, Woodley, whose family had lived at the farm for 200 years. The drill is 59 inches long.'
Production date
1825-01-01 - 1874-12-31
Production period
Mid-nineteenth century
Object name
Material
Associated subject