Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-09-07
From the Hastings Union.
OLIVER DALRYMPLE'S CELE
DRAFTED FARM.
FIFTEEN MILES OF WHEAT FIELDS.

kind invitation of that irrepressibIe Reap
er agent John Rhodes, ESQ.,, to make a
visit 10 the large and widely celebrated
farm of Oliver Dalrymple, Esq, in
Washington County. We were accom-
panied by Mr.. Todd of the Gazette, and
through the thoughtful care Of Mr..
Rhodes, we were provided with every
thing necessary for pleasant trip The
morning was BEAUTIFUL, and we started out
in good spirits for days journey through
the rich Agricultural County on the East
side of the Mississippi. A ride of little
over two miles brought us to the western
limits of Mr.. Dlarymple's sma farm of
1000 acres. AS we drove through the
large gate magnificent scene is spread
out before us as far as the eye can reach.
A wilderness of wheat is before us, ex-
tending over hills and through wales,
stretching out for miles on either side and
before us.
A few moments drive over the road
that wound its way through shocks of
wheat, and we reached one of those sub
stantial, neat looking farm houses. which
Mr.. Dalrymple has erected on bis farms.
Here we obtained definite information rs
to the direction we should take to find
where the laborers were at WORK, and al
SO partake of the hospitalities which
seems to be characteristic of each one
of Mr.. DIS. different establishments.
From this point look for miles and
see nothing but wheat, either waving in
the gentle breeze or standing in the shock.
We drive for over a mile still surround
ed by wheat. when we reach high knoll
and Mr.. Rhodes bids us cast our eyes
around. The scene was magnificent be-
yond description.
From the spot where our carriage
stopped, away in the dim distance, tif
teen miles or more. nothing was visible
but bright golden carpets of wheat:
Wheat to the right of us, wheat to the
left of US, wheat under our feet.
From this point it is said we overlook
ed nearly 100000 acres of wheat.
Think of it eastern reader! 100000
acres of wheat visible from one stand
point! 1t passes belief almost, yet we
candidly believe it was fact. We were
still on Mr.. DIS grand farm, which con-
tains, in a solid body, some 1900 acres
of land, nearly thousand of which was
in wheat. After feastng our eyes for a
season upon this magnificent and unusual
sight, even in Minnesota, we again start
and finally reach the sceDe of active OPP
erations in securing this immence bar
vest. Here we fiud six Mccormick
Reapers, each drawn by four horses and
supported by sixty men, busily engaged
in cutting down, binding aud shocking
wheat. This small army we found un-
der command ofDavid Dalrymple, Esq,
who, on horseback directed the move
ment of the harvesters with such system
as not to lose a single moment of time.
The Reapers followed each other in reg
ular order, and the men divided into
SQUADS had each section to bind and
shock and in five minutes after the last
spear of wheat was cut on this large
| farm, it was all bound and in shocks, and
the entire body, horses, reapers, wagons
with supplies, men and the general com
mandine were on their way to the next
farm. We rode ahead of the caravan,
and as we looked back oyer the road, we
were forcibiIy reminded of similar spec
tacles in the late war. Stretched out
for over " half mile on the prairie, this
body of men, reapers, wagons DC, looked
like an "Army with Banners. :"
l
At the middle, or Sherman Farm, we
accepted the hearty invitation of the
General and partook of a good substantial
dinner. We were especially impressed
with the unrivalled system everywhere
visible, in the management of this large
number of men, either on the field or at
meals. Each man had his particular
work to do, and he performed it without
interfering with others. Dinner was
quickly dispatched, and again the reap
ers are at work. We drove to different
portions of the field in order to see the
working of the reapers on different kinds
of ground. 1t is hardly necessary for
us to say that they worked admirably.
We inquired of Mr.. Dalrymple bow he
liked the Mccormick Reaper. We give
his answer Well, sir, the best an
swer can give you, is found 10 the fact
that we started into the harvest with
nine of these reapers,-we have nearly
completed cutting ZOO acres, and we
have not lost five minutes time since we
commenced, either for repairs or any
other fault of the reapers. Our horses
look as we'll. and | think, have even
| gained In flesh since we commenced, and
they have worked from sun to sun every
day. The reapers do their work well on
any kind of ground, as you can see by
looking over the field" We were salts
fed, and looking around at Mr.. Rhodes
to see how he took this high compliment
to the excellence Of the machine for
which he is agent. To our surprise, he
did not seem to be affected in the last
Upon our ren1srking this fact, he said,
" have got so used to hearing The same
thing that it does not affect me in the
least. / knew what they would do, and
every farmer in Washington County that
uses them land the most of them do)
will tell you the same story. There is
no humbug about the old Mccormick,
you know" pea
Leaving the reapsrs at work, and bid
ding adieu to our courteous and gentle
manly host, the General, we drive on past
other fields all laughing with an abundant
harvest, we reach the beautiful village of