Chinese farmer invents new type of sowing machine
( 2003-10-21 22:21) (Xinhua)
A Chinese farmer in China's northernmost Heilongjing province has invented a
new type of " injection" sowing machine, which was recently awarded a state
patent certificate.
Gao Qingjun, 58, developed the machine by himself from his decades of
experience of farming. The machine is designed like an "injection needle for
medical use", and can "inject" seeds directly into the water-saturated layer
deep under the surface soil, according to Gao, from Xinghua town, Qinggang
county in Heilongjiang.
In this way, it is different from conventional sowing machines which had to
first break up the earth, then drop seeds and finally cover the seeds with soil
again. The new machine is superior because it would not damage the wet layer of
soil by not exposing it to air and sunlight and so losing no moisture, and it
could therefore keep the underlying soil wet enough for seeds' growth, according
to the farmer.
The new machine is highly practical for use in northeast China, which is home
to the country's major farm produce bases but suffers frequent spring dry
spells.
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