Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-10-06
From the Southern Planter.
VIRGINIA REAPER.
Big Lick, Roanoke. IN

VIRGINIA REAPER
Big Lick, Roanoke, July 10, 1912.
Nlessrs Editors-i have been surprised that the
Virginia Reaper" invented By Cyrus III. Nc
Cormick, Of Rockbridgc, has not received some
notice In our agricultural papers. am satisfied
that lis one OF the most important implements
which has been presented TO the agriculturist for
many years. i understand it has been patented
since 1881, but the paten:ee, with most com-
mendabe patience and prudence, determined
not to hazard the reputation Of his invention by
supplying the public demand ill he had scru,ini.
Zed, tested, and pert, cted it by several years of
private experience. After eight or nine wears of
careful observation, he again appears bcior, tho
Pubiic' prepared To guarantee with confidence the
performance of his reaper. l and others embraced
me hrst opportunity OF supplying ourselves, and
nave used them as far was practicable in our
ia'e wheat harvest SO far as have any knowl
edSe oil the opinions of those who purchased
Them, or OF those who have witnessed their per
romance, there is AN unanimous concurrence in
tne Deilei That the machine is fully equal 10 every
thing said OF it in its advertisement.
L nave tested 1t satisfactorily in every grade
anu condition OF wheat; in that which was very
iight, as well as that which would have Welded,
but Tor the rust, from thirty forty bushels per
acre In. that which was erect aud in that which
was tangled and fallen, and found tito operate in
every instance, with surprising neaincss and eff
cheney, scarcely leaving head, and but slightly
time by the condition of The grain. Ii was ionnd
70 cut tangled and fallen grain where ever it was
not too fiat to be reached BY tha sickle as well as
that which was standing. The neatness and com
Pleteness with which the crop is saved is scarcely
conceivable to one who has net Witnessed its
work. Those most welded 10 the cradle, admit
mat the reaper viii save an average at least
one busiei more TO the acre in standiup wheat
than the best grading, whilst in tangled grain the
saving would be augmented to double, treble, or
even quadrnpIe that amount. So that tie ma
chine, which costs only an hundred dollars. will
pay Tor Itself In cutting an ordinary CROP
The machine too is simple and substantial: OF
course, not liable to get out of order, and when
from casualty deranged or broken, easily rectfed
or repaired by an ordinary mechanic. 1t will cut
with facility fifteen acres per day. and when push
cd, at least twenty. Two hands attend il with
ease as rider and raker, relieving each other reg
ular'y, and five or six will bind the grain with
more ease than they would bind the same ouanti-
~ OF grain alter Graders and rakers, as the ma.
chine leaves 1t straight and in piles large enough
for several sheaves. 1t is fully equal to FIVE
choice Graders, who would require five rakers and
hve binders to follow them, making fifteen in all.
Thus, you see there is a saving Of the labor of
eight hands In every days cutting of The reaper.
1t performs equally well on rolling and unduating
as level land, and by taking steep hills obiquely,
80 as to graduate the ascent, the difficulty with
them will be In great degree obyiated
l refer you to the advertisement of Mr. Moor
mick in the Enquirer of October or November.
lS4l, for minute anc satisfactory description of
the machine, and would suggest lie propriety of
your aPpending it as note 10 this letter, for the
satisfaction OF your readers. L will merely add,
In closing this communication, the testimony of
lowland farmer, who has had three Of the ma
chimes in operation this summer.
Mr.. Corbin BraXton, in transcript with which
] have been provided, says, IL have had three of
Mr.. G. III. MCornick's Patent Reapers at work
this harvest under my immediate observation ;
one on the farm on which reside, and two Others
on farms under my management, and take pleasure
in stating, that the operation of all has been full
Iy equal to my expectation and indeed Father
exceeded 1t, as indeed that of all others who wit
messed the operation Of the machine. Mr.. Me-
Cormick's advertisements fully sustained. 1t
will certainly cut from fifteen 10 twenty acres per
day, II well attended to, and leaves not straw
that can be brought in contact with the cutter IL
has been worked this harvest under every dsad-
vantage which 1t was possible almost TO bring to
bear against 1t, In consequences of the unpreceden-
ted weather we have had. IL will cut any wheat
that is not too low for the reel and teeth 10 reach
it. 1t does not appear 10 me to be liable 10 get
out Of order a common cradle, and should
think it would be very durable. The Reaper has
cut all descriptions Of wheat, green. ripe, rusted
as badly as wheat could have il. lying and stand
ing. And | have no hesitation in saying, That |
believe it one of the most important agricultural
improvements ofhe day and think that every farm
cutting fifty acres of wheat would find it to his
advantage to have one. No weather has prevented
the Reaper from working, except when the ground
was so soft as to mire the wheels.
Signed, CORBiN BRAXTON.
Chericoke, June %, 1912.
I send you this hurried letter in the hope that il
will be sufficient to awaken public attention to
this important invention Of a native citizen, and
be the means of introducing speedily an impc-
ment which will promote the prosperity OF agri-
culture and at the same time be source Of emol.
uu1ept to the individual 10 whose genius and in.
dastIy we are so much indebted.
Yours, respectfully,
VIM. NJ. PEYTON.
Dear Sir--The Machine you left with ne per-