Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-09-29
From the Southern Planter.
VIRGINIA REAPER.


Messrs Editors-i have been surprised that the
"Virginia Reaper" invented by Cyrus Ill. Me
Corfnick, OF Rockbrdge, has not received some
notice In our agricultural papers. 1 am satisfied
mat IL one OF the NEST importrnt iDplements
which has been presented TO the agrculturist for
many years. l understand it has been patented
since 1884, but The paten:ee, with a most com
mendabie patience and prudence determined
not 10 hazard the reputation of his invention by
supplying the public demand till he had scrutini-
zed, tested, and perfected it by several years of
private experience. After eight or nine years of
cdrei"i observation, he again appears before tho
puollc, prepared 10 guarantee with confidence the
performance OF his reaper. and others embraced
me hrst opportunity of supplying ourselves. and
nave used them as far was practicable in our
late wheat harvest. So far as have any knowl-
edge OF the opinions of those who purchased
men, or oil those who have witnessed their per-
lormance, there is an unanimous concurrence in
the belief that the machine is fully equal 10 eyerv
ming said OF II In its advertisement.
nave tested il satisfactorily in every grade
ana condition OF wheat; in that which was very
light. as well as that which would have yielded,
nut Tor the rust, from thirty to forty bushels per
acre IN that Witch was erect and in that which
was tangled and fallen, and found it to operate il,
every instance, with surprising ncaness and ell
cheney, scarcely leaving a head, and but slightly
influenced In the number of acres cut in a given
time by the condition of the grain. 1t was found
W ~ '"HS'Su oho idiieH gram Wnere ever 1t was
not 100 Nat TO be reached by the sickle as well as
tIat which was standing. The neainess and COM
peteness with which the crop is saved is scarcely
conceIvable to one who has not witnessed its
Work. Those most welded to the cradle. admit
mat the reaper will save on an average at least
one uushel more to the acre in s;andinr wheat
than the best grading, whilst in tangled grain the
saving would be augmented to double, treble, or
even quadruple that amount. So that the ma
ch'hc' which costs only an hundred dollars, will
pay Tor itself in cutting ordinary crop.
ne machine too IS simple and substantial; OF
course not liable to get out of order, and when
from casualty deranged or broken, easily rectfied
or repaired by an ordinary mechanic. 1t Will cut
win iaciiity fifteen acres per day, and when push
cd, at least twenty. Two hands attend IL with
ease as rider and raker. relieving each other req
uIariy, and five or six will bind the grain with
more ease than they would bind the same quanti-
~ OF grain after Graders and rakers as the ma
chine leaves it straight and in piles large enough
ior several sheaves. Il is fully equal to five
choice Graders, who would require five rakers and
live binders to follow them, making fifteen in all.
lhus, you see there is saving of the labor Of
eight hands In every days cutting Of the reaper
IL performs equally well on rolling and undulatng
as level land, and by taking step hills obliauely,
so as TO graduate the ascent, the difficulty with
them VIII be In great degree obyiated
refer you TO the advertisement of Mr.. Moor
mick III the Enquirer of October or November
io4i' LOT minute anC satisfactory description of
the machine, and would suggest the propriety of
your appending IL as note 10 this letter, for the
satisfaction OF your readers. | will merely add,
III closing this communication, the testimony of
Rowland farmer, who has had three Of the ma
chimes in operation this summer
Mr.. Corbin BraX;on, in transcript with which,
nave been provided, says, ~ have had three of
Alr. q. Ia. M'Cormck's Patent Reapers at work
tiis harvest under my immediate observation I;
one on the farm which reside and two others
on farms under my management, and take pleasure
i" staonS, mat the operation OF all has been full
" equal 10 my expectation and indeed rather
e@cceoco IL, as indeed that of all others who wit
neSSea the operation OF the machine. Mr.. Nc
Corinicks advertisement is fully sustained 1t
VIII certainly cut from fifteen 10 twenty acres per
day, ii well attended to, and leaves not a straw
u'at can De brought IN contact with the cutter. 1t
mas oeeh worked this harvest under every disad-
vantage which 1t was possible almost TO bring TO
pear against II, In consequence ofthe unpreceden-
ted weather we have had. 1t will cut any wheat
that is not too low for the reel and teeth to reach
II. ~ does not appear 10 me TO be as liable to get
OUT OF order as d common cradle, and | should
think IL would be very durable. The Reaper has
cut all descriptions of wheat, green ripe, rustcd
as Dadly as whea; could havei it. lying and stand
ing. And have no hesitation in saying, that !
oelieve II one of the most important agricultural
improvements ofthe y,and think that every farm
er cutting fifty acres of wheat would find it TO his
advantage to have one. No weather has prevented
me heaper from working, except when the ground
was so sot as to mire the wheels.
| Signed, CORBIN BRAXTON.
CherIcoke, June %, 1912.
send you this hurried letter in the hope that il
WI! De suftcient to awaken public attention to
,h's important invention of native citizen, and
Uv me means o. Introducing speedily an imple-
ment which will promote the prosperitv of aori.
ou''uie anu at the same time be source Of enIol-
I J 10 the individual to whose genius and in
oustry we are so much indebted.
| Yours, respectfully,
VIM. N. PEYTON.
Gear Doa5 Sif-thc Machine you left with me per