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No. 1 Corn Sower,

R. & J. Reeves and Son Ltd. (Manufacturer)

A ‘No. 1 Corn Sower’ seed drill made by R. & J. Reeves & Son Ltd. of Bratton Ironworks, Wiltshire.
This is a ‘No. 1 Corn Sower’, a seed drill made by R. & J. Reeves & Son Ltd. of Bratton Ironworks, Wiltshire. It consists of a cast iron rectangular, tapered hopper with a wheel at the base and an arm by which it would be attached to a plough. Different rollers were available for use with different types of seeds. The drill is inscribed 'R. & J. Reeves & Co Ltd. Bratton, Wilts No.1 346'.

1 seed drill: metal

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – ‘Description: Rectangular, tapered hopper for corn seed with wheel at base and arm for attachment to plough. Cast iron. // Inscription: R. & J. Reeves & Co Ltd. Bratton, Wilts No.1 346 // Dimensions: Length 53.0 cm Diameter (top): 40.0 cm // Associated information: See attached copy from Reeves Catalogue. // It seems that Mr Wood may also have given MERL a broadcast sower. See Acc. File 62/207. // References: MERL ARCHIVES: R. & J. Reeves, Catalogue, TR REE P2/A’, MERL ‘History Artefacts’ card – ‘Description: Red paint. Instruction leaflet stuck inside lid of hopper. // Frame: Straight, rect. sect., horizontal iron shaft with U fork at front end for attachment to plough. // One wheel: Cast iron, five spokes. Axle of wheel turns roller inside base of seed hopper – grooved to carry seed through in regular quantities. // Hopper: Iron, four sided, with lid. One side higher than other so that lid is slanted towards wheel. Rectangular lid & cross section, but two sides triangular. Brush fixed with bristles resting on roller inside & may be adjusted to various pressures (see instructions). // There’s a chain attached to the back end of frame which, according to instructions, should be attached to a lever on the plough handle & used to lift the drill into an out of work position. The lever, apparently supplied with the drill, is now missing.’, R. & J. Reeves & Son, Limited. Catalogue – ‘[p.10] Reeves’ Patent Corn Sower, for ploughing in corn. // This Sower is attached to the Plough by the hook on which the joints of the Sower works, which is made to fit on the bolts of the Plough fame. // The lever for lifting it out of work is fixed on the top side of the right hand handle of the Plough, and the chain for lifting should always be on the inside of the handle. // The quantity of corn sown may be slightly varied by the setting of the brush, which should generally just touch the roller, but larger variations in quantity is effected by the different rollers. // [p.11] Reeves’ Patent Corn Sower, for ploughing in corn. // Many Agriculturalists like to Plough in Seed Corn, etc., thus giving the plant a firm seed bed; and also, in late wheat sowing, to be able every day to sow, without extra labour, all the land that is ploughed; in unfavourable weather for getting on the land after it is plough, the seed would be sown, and may be harrowed as soon as the weather admits. Corn put in in this way can be hoed as easily as Drilled Corn, and by using this invention hand sowing is dispensed with. // Every kind of Corn can be sown with this Apparatus, and for sowing Peas and Beans, even when Manure is ploughed in, they can be used to sow at the same time, provided the time of the season is suitable for sowing. The Beans, if required, can be dropped in bunches, so that they may be hoed. The Apparatus is simply hooked to an ordinary Plough, and can be taken off when not required. // A large acreage of both Beans and Wheat are sown with these Sowers every year, with most satisfactory results. // Price of No. 1 Sower, including any Two Rollers from the following List… When ordering, please say what Rollers will be required…’

Bratton