A particulate material feeder is provided having a material dispensing hopper cooperating with a continuous conveyor revolving in a vertical plane having a plurality of spaced flights operating over a horizontal bedplate for controlled feeding of material over the bedplate in a uniform thickness layer. The dispensing hopper is positioned in longitudinal alignment with the conveyor at one end thereof and has a discharge throat located a distance vertically above the bedplate with a transfer plate extending from the throat to the bedplate with a portion of the transfer plate at its end joining with the bedplate being arcuately curved in conformity to the path of movement of the conveyor flights. The dispensing hopper has a selectively positionable valve plate that is adjusted to and maintained at a position with respect to the throat for control of the depth of material displaced over the bedplate.