Most of the patents prior to 1836 were lost in the Dec. 1836 fire. Only about 2,000 of the almost 10,000 documents were recovered. This is one of the recovered patents. This patent is in the database for reference only.

For a Machine for Planting Corn; Henry Blair, Glennross, Montgomery county, Maryland, October 14.

This planting machine does not differ in its mode of action, and but slightly in the arrangement of its parts, from others that have been constructed for the same purpose. A frame is made, which is sustained by two wheels made fast upon a common axis. This axis carries a hollow cylinder, from which the corn is to be dropped through holes at suitable distances; a hopper to contain the seed corn surmounts, and fits on to, this cylinder, but not so as to impede its revolution, which is effected by the wheels. A shovel plough, attached to the frame, precedes the dropping cylinder, and two covers, or scrapers, follow it, and behind them a harrow also is attached to the frame. The machine is to be drawn and guided in the manner of a plough. The claim is to “the combination and arrangement of the several parts.”

Since a late decision in the Circuit Court of the United States, sustaining a claim to the combination and general arrangement of a patented machine, this form ol claim has become quite fashionable, and appears to be thought talismanic; it will be found, however, that such combination and arrangement must be substantially new, and must differ essentially from all things for the same purpose before known or used, as a defect in a thing itself is not to be cured by cabalistical words.

Journal of the Franklin Institute, Vol. 15, May 1835 pg. 322.

(To be filled in.)

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