Historic Tools of North Castle

Seed Sower (2)

There are two devices at Smith’s Tavern that are identical seed sowers.

The device was patented in 1861 and claimed to sow from 4-8 acres an hour at a “normal walking pace”.  The device has a square metal plate molded to sit flat on the stomach, while a canvas seed bag would be attached to the hopper/funnel.  While walking along the rows, the worker would crank the side-mounted wooden handle/geared crank and that cranking action would operate the scoop/seed pushing arm as well as turning the distributor drum attached to the front of the device that “broadcast” the seeds out.

Reference:  https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-pearces-improved-cahoon-293437441

Catalog Items:

Item None

Length: 41 cm
Width: 27 cm
Height: 31 cm
Weight: 1964 g

The device on the floor in front of Panel 12 (no ID) is the more detailed item as it has a canvas seed bag attached  to the top of the device (material not included in dimension calculations).  The printing on the canvas states “Pearce’s Approved Cahoon Broadcast Seed Sower Made By Goodell Company, Antrim, NH, USA”.  

Item T91

Location:Panel 13
Length: 41 cm
Width: 27 cm
Height: 31 cm
Weight: 1964 g

This device (T91), that is hanging on Panel 13, excludes the canvas seed bag.