A method and a device (01) for separating and placing grains (02) are described. These use a pocket (05) that circulates along a closed track (04), said pocket having a variable width and having a neck space (51) and a grip space (52), which bounds said neck space and is closed when the pocket (05) is narrow and is open when the pocket (05) is wide. At least when open, the dimensions of the grip space (52) permit exactly one grain (02) to be accommodated. The method comprises the following method steps: - filling the neck space (51) of the pocket (05) with at least one grain (02) from a reservoir (06) of grains (02), wherein the pocket (05) is brought into communication with said reservoir (06) for this purpose, - conveying a grain (02) from the neck space (51) to the grip space (52), - removing any surplus grains still remaining in the neck space (51) from the pocket (05), - closing the grip space (52), - transporting the grain (02) located in the grip space (52), and - placing the grain (02) by opening the grip space (52). The device (01) is characterised by at least one pair (03) of two gripping fingers (31, 32) which are driven together along a track (04) in an endlessly circulating manner and can be moved relative to each other, a first leading gripping finger (31) seen in the direction of circulation, and a second trailing gripping finger (32), which limit the pocket (05) of variable width. The device further comprises a reservoir (06) arranged along a section (43) of the track (04) for accommodating grains (02), which touches, at least on one side, on the pocket (05) of changeable width circulating along the track (04), wherein the pocket (05) is open towards the reservoir (06) and the reservoir (06) is open towards the pocket (05).
