Seed Drill Collection

Putting in seed on a bonanza farm, 1800s
Seeding grain on a bonanza farm, North Dakota, early 1890s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Hornsby's ten-row seed drill for corn
5307810 Hornsby's ten-row seed drill for corn.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Hornsby's ten-row seed drill for corn. This had rubber delivery tubes for slides to regulate the flow of seed)

English farmers planting barley with a mechanical driller, circa 1880 - Colorisee engraving
NWI4825512 English farmers planting barley with a mechanical driller, circa 1880 - Colorisee engraving, 19th century - English farmers planting barley with a mechanical driller

Chinese agriculture. Peasants planting a field with a seeding machine (a hopper with two pipes leading to pronged feet)
FLO4622481 Chinese agriculture. Peasants planting a field with a seeding machine (a hopper with two pipes leading to pronged feet), man irrigating a field on a water pump

Homegrown food is homegrown wealth, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Homegrown food is homegrown wealth. The foresighted farmer makes a garden plan showing what to plant, when to plant, and when to make second plantings

The Annual Exhibition of the Smithfield Club - Bringing in Implements, 1850. Creator: Unknown
The Annual Exhibition of the Smithfield Club - Bringing in Implements, 1850. Agricultural show in London. Farming machinery on display included: Seed and Manure Drill, a Wheel Plough

Cotton cultivation: ploughing and sowing in India. Chromolithography, Liebig image
XEE4414575 Cotton cultivation: ploughing and sowing in India. Chromolithography, Liebig image. by Unknown Artist, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cotton cultivation)

October: sowing. In the background the Flemish Louvre Miniature of Pol of Limburg
JLJ4646949 October: sowing. In the background the Flemish Louvre Miniature of Pol of Limburg from " The Book of Good Moors" by Jacques the Great (1360-1415/1418)

A factory scene in 1935 showing women and their Singer sowing machines. Exact area where this picture was taken is unknown. But it is taken in the United Kingdom. Picture taken 21st July 1935

Agricultural lesson for the indigenous people of Madagascar, 1897. Artist: F Meaulle
Agricultural lesson for the indigenous people of Madagascar, 1897. An illustration from Le Petit Journal, 7th November 1897

Chinese agriculture, 1825-1835. Top: pounding rice in a foot-operated pestle and mortar. Middle: Chinese seed drill. Bottom: Chinese plough. From Costume Antico et Moderno. (Rome, 1825-1835)

Agriculture, 1751-1780. Ploughing, rolling and harrowing using horses, sowing seed broadcast and with Abbe Soumilles seed drill (Fig 4). Fig 1 is a type of plough invented by Jethro Tull

A farmer and his horse seed drilling in Maplescombe near Farningham, Kent

Sowing peas in a field in Bexley. 1937

Fendt 820 with Tume seed drill and cultipack, sowing arable field, Sweden, september

Farmer loading Tume seed drill, Sweden

Tractor drilling arable field, with approaching storm clouds, Sweden

John Deere 2140 tractor pulling Tume seed drill, drilling arable field, Sweden

John Deere 2140 tractor pulling seed drill, drilling arable field, with approaching storm clouds, Sweden

Volvo BM Valmet 705 tractor pulling Tume HKL-4000 seed drill, drilling field, Sweden, spring

Close-up of Tume HKL-4000 seed drill, drilling field, Sweden, spring

Seedlings sown in seed drills on allotment, close-up

18th century. Farmer with a seed drill. Colored engraving

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In the 1800s, on the vast bonanza farms of America, a revolutionary invention called the seed drill was transforming agriculture. With its mechanical precision, it allowed farmers to efficiently sow seeds and increase crop yields like never before. Across the globe in India, cotton cultivation was being revolutionized as well. Chromolithography captured the scene of ploughing and sowing with intricate detail, showcasing how this new technology was reshaping traditional farming practices. Meanwhile, in Europe during October's harvest season, Flemish Louvre Miniature depicted Pol of Limburg using a seed drill to sow crops. This miniature painting showcased how even centuries ago, farmers recognized the importance of efficient planting techniques. The benefits of the they were not limited to Western countries alone; it also found its way into far-flung places like Madagascar. In 1897, an artist named F Meaulle captured an agricultural lesson where indigenous people learned about this innovative tool that would improve their farming methods. China too embraced advancements in agriculture during the early 19th century. The image from 1825-1835 shows Chinese farmers utilizing a seed drill to ensure precise seeding for optimal crop growth. Even further back in history between 1751-1780, agriculture underwent significant changes as evidenced by illustrations from that era. These depictions highlight how farmers adapted to new technologies such as improved ploughing techniques and mechanized sowing methods. Fast forward to more recent times - a factory scene from 1935 showcases women operating Singer sewing machines while nearby stands another machine: a horse-drawn seed drill operated by a farmer, and is clear that industrialization had made its mark on both textile production and agricultural practices alike. Moving ahead again to Bexley in 1937 - peas are being sown using modern machinery instead of manual labor. This photograph captures progress in action as farmers embrace mechanization for increased efficiency and productivity.