An apparatus for dispensing particulate material in a predetermined pattern over a subjacent surface. The apparatus includes an elongated hopper having a downwardly facing discharge mouth. A rotary dispensing shaft extends the length of the mouth. The shaft has a plurality of material receiving grooves formed to extend longitudinally thereof and sized to receive predetermined amounts of particulate material. Positioned about the shaft member and extending the length thereof is an elongated cylindrical sleeve which is mounted for selective rotation relative to the shaft with its exterior surface in sealing engagement with the mouth of the hopper. First and second circumferentially spaced, generally longitudinally extending openings are formed through the sleeve. The openings are located such that in a first position of the sleeve the first openings provide communication from the mouth to the material receiving grooves in the shaft and the second openings provide communication from the shaft to the exterior of the sleeve. In the second position of the sleeve the mouth is sealed from the shaft.