Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-07-03
From the New England Farmer
why DO You Not Purchase IL Moving
MachincI

Machincf
Mr.. Editor If the above question were put to
many OF our farmers, they would respond by saying
THAT the manufacturers are continually making
Improvements, and Intend to wait until l can get
the best
Now let us examine this reply for few moments
and if it will abide the test of sound reasoning
/ presume that have your assent to this PROPOSE
tom That until recently, nearly all the inventive
genius that has been expended las been in the line
of producing and cheapeliing our apparel and our
eqmpage, Instead of our food, the most important
article Therefore, the time has fully come when the
latter should receive its full share Of inventive tai
ent To make this most effective, it is manifest that
Oh the part of the manufacturer and practical farm
er there should be mutual sympathy and cordial eff
fort. hold that there is no ingenuity, skill, the
DRY, applicable to some agricultural implements,
which will not utterly fail when tested by putting
the on, into the ground by practical farm
err Hence it is the duty, Think OF farmers to CO.
operate with the manufacturer in his efforts to i'm
prove and perfect agricultural machines and imple-
mentS Should he not therefore, purchase and use
those machines, although imperfect and i'll the pro-
of using them. report to the maker of them their
faings, or suggest improvements? In this way /
satisfied that such labor-saving machines may be
obtained as shall very much facilitate, and render
farming attractive in New England. Ii this reason
ing is correct the above observations will apply with
peculiar force TO moving machines. The practical
utility of machine for cutting grass is ques
ton past controversy or discussion. 1t is only
question of time to prepare the surface Of now
ing lands and the machine best adapted to do the
work. do not propose to enter the partizan con-
troyersy respecting moving machines. do not
and have refused to be paid agent for the sale Of
them from two establishments.
l wasPresent at the trial of mowers in Boylston
(June l4th) and the operation OF the five ma
chimes, and for the first time the working of the
NANNY machine. | have also read in the n. Il. Far
the report of the trial by 'Iruth and JUSTICE
and the reply by Mr.. Brown. After carefully read
ing these statements, apprehend they may not be
exception TO the general rule in such cases. that
the exact truth is TO be found 'between them" If
were called upon to correct them, should say
that Truth and Justicen had not given sufficient
credit for the cutting of the Nanny machine, and
Mr. Brown had oYerstated the difference of draft
between the two. While do not profess to be
partizan in this matter, do confess that much
pleased with the working of the hechum patent, as
now manufactured by NouTse, Mason & Co. 1t is
also my impression, confirmed by six years expert
ence, that i'll order to be adapted to New England
farms find Them and to be popular through
out New England, every machine must be reduced,
substantially, to the construction Of the hechum
mower. The manufacturers of the various machines
will call this sweeping observation, ana demand
The moving lands of New England will always
present obstacles more or less, TO the mower such
apple trees bOuders, stumps, uneven surfaces,
&C. We are bound, nevertheless, to have machine
which will work, notwithstanding these obstacles.
But under these circumstances, the demand is im-
peratiye that we have mower i'll its construction
simple, strong, compact, "handyia one into which
readily insert cutters of different lengthe,
from three foot to six foot, according to the con
ditOn of the grass, surface obstacles. Tins idea
of changing cutters carries with it an Importance
which farmers do not yet appreciate. My own eA-
perience enables me to say that it is a most happy
arrangement, by which accommodate my machine
to the grass to be cut the work to be done and to
the capacity OF my team. l may be mistaken, but
/ apprehend that | am correct in saying there is
now no machine capable Of meeting the above de-
mands but the ketchum patent
The labor OF taking apart and of readjusting is a
consideration with me in favor of the small iron
machine. Last fall neighbor came to me for my
machine TO cut his rowen said that he had been to
three owners of the Nanny, and they refused, be-
their machines were taken apart, and it was
too much work TO rig upH The ketchum, occu-
plying four square feet in the corner of my tool
room, ready for action in less than ten minutes
When my first machine had more than paid for
itself, and when the manufacturers of both kinds
had made great Improvements sent it back with
directions to send me their best mower, ana glyeme
what they could afford for the old one 10 TINS last
have added the Improvements as they have come
out and yesterday cut piece of grass sixty rods
long and three wide, tone and one eighth acre. in
less than hour, The town clock bearing testimony
And yet my horses gave no evidence of the least
extra labor. Now, sir, if you do not consider tins
sufficiently expeditions come and see me, and to-
morrow will Slip in Il six,footer and cut an acre
by the side oft in thirty minutes and yetmy horses
will not labor harder than they did with the old
nuclliue, with iour-fOOt cutter.
do not profess to have any scientific guage by
which can discover the amount of power required
to overcome given amount of resistance, but from
careful observation, have reached the conclusion:
That the two-hOIse machine, as now manufactured
by Nourse, Mason, s. Co.. requires no more power
to work it with sN-foot cutter, than the machine
did with our-ioot cutter made five years since;
Also that the One-horse machine, with II three ana
one half foot cutter is harder for one horse nan
would be for the same horse by the side OF ahoth-
err in the old machine, with aiouroot cutler fOr
this statement however, you have only my own
Judgment based upon the evidence had Ut Boyl-
ston. .
Nearly all the interest manifested IN moving ma
chimes in this part of the county. appears to be III
behalf of the one-horse machines This Is to DC ex-
pected, inasmuch as probably nine tenths OF our
farmers keep but horse. There are Just now DC.
ing introduced, and remain TO be tested At lhe
trial at Boyston, their working was very gratifying.
TO me, and think they come within the ability of
most farmers horses to work them.
The manufacturers of these mowers need no circu'
lars from me, certifying that they are "honoiAbls
men, and will only say to those who purchase OF
them, that they seem anxious TO supply all improve
ments as fast as discovered, and / have no doubt
that with the aid and patronage of farmers they
will give as machine OF such price and qualty that
every man who has twelve or fifteen acres to cut
will find il for his interest TO buy
CHAs HUMPHREY.
Lancaster, July /, 1859