The Republican journal., 1870-08-04
Farm, Garden, and Household,
ORIGIN OF THE WHEEL RAKE.

rsluccA in Waldo co. by Mr.. Kent, of Ner-
n'nt, who Travelled extensively introducing
r. @a~ operated 10y hand power, the holder press
ns down I'LL enough hay was collected to form a
tion ot winrow. then lifting it up by main
rrugth To such height that it would clear the
'-y dropped, then placing it down beyond, and
.lu> continuing till the piece was finished. Usually
Nn were required to work it, ono to drive the
',1r~r. and one to hold the rake. This was hard,
.h'riou> work, and when time is not taken into
'hr halance. not much improvement upon the old
u.nd rake of time mmemorial. All that can be
>aii in favor of this rake was that hay could be
more speedily raked than without it.
Ia his travels among the farmers of Maine, Mr..
i,t il Ni>ited Mr. Robert Griffin of Northport In this
lntv, who purchased one for his use. Mr. Griffin,
hA thr way i retired machnSt, and resides upon
nice farm on the shore of PenohScot bay. The
'hlri trial of this back achor'' set Mr.. Grittin's
NifS 10 work To devise some improvement. While
sitting down. after finishing hi- piece, with the
-vcat courSiue down his face, and his tired limbs
an attitude of repose. with the machine in
'ieN hc studied ''hoH to tix it," Arehimedes, in
> ,dh. discovered the principle of specific gravity
N'Wion ia hi> garden, by An apples fall from the
s.ugh thu great principle of gr:tyitation Illus
.--lrng Steam from the kettles spout, was led to
experiment. on aud develop steam power So in
70. ,-e before a. mis- law is fully eyemplitied.
...e~-iy j. said 10 he the mother OF invention.
N. noJ ,ll that convenience is the father of it
,oa Nj Griffin lid not initiate the great Roman
hf irving trsAa' Gre&a.'" but he, more in
..rb.nrr with native ankec habit, proceeded to
.fi ID ia practice ut once. What was this great
. lt,l 4p a ttfr
iai hi, only. Htcould mount his rake on wheels,
uI ride: anl not only ride but rake at the same
.rur
Farmers. VIII" are riding over your fields with
,.,~, aul comfort on tne improved wheel rakes OF
lhr present iay, YOUR thauks are due to this stray
Ihauglt of vaur cplnradc who carried it first into
-oerr->iu operation. Re>etting the steel spring
--e-l ini' "a ncN and suitable head, with pair
't l.w forward wheels upon 4 wide axle, the
-iafr> oin,l to the rlkehead by strap hinges, the
Ialr-hrai Ia the aXio 10y strong, suitable, flexible
i.sfcuing,, with foot board upon the back end of
rhe Shafts Ia step upon Ia trip the rake, and few
fher iNins> tlr new tangled notion" WAS ready
VIZ trial New, Of Mr.. Grhn'S experiment having
~iIcs.l around. The Whole nciglhorhood assembled
o. witness The operation, fully expecting and freely
lfieting failure. A. with all Improvements,
aut tll inventions, and attempts to advance either
+. agriculture, mechanics, or science, there is al
Nay> 81 tendency tu throw cold water, a feeling
.tn lu hatred, an anta9oni>m that he who attempts
a4H-i eneountr Bat here they were destined to
disappointment. The failure did not come, and
year after wear. till NOW some fifteen years, Mr.,
tfriiiu hA~ used that rake, and it may be
luV day al his farm in Norhport, the pioneer of
th, " heel rtko->y stem.
Mr. Giiffia obtained one of the earlier patterns
If Manning Mower, of the first years >tyl les.
! thinh the cutter-lar was of oak heavy beam
~jth the fngcr-guar,l> bolted To il. This was Il
iumsH apparatus, and left Il ~tubl,le Of four inches
40 height saon getting out OF repair, ard proving
ln,uAi'lc for the designed purpose. A year
fNo later the iron cutcr-bar was brought out.
Nj Griffin obtained another machine with this,
Os- ID no~ I'd good condition. and Ia, used it
'N,r, sc..t iill the present season.
Nj Nhlrhmt travelling in the interest of Algi-
ri- Brown, who purchased Mr.. Manny's patent
4al right of manufacture Al Worcester. Mass, visit
si Mr.. utitin> place shortly after he had mounted
ihe ~pIng-io"thel rake on wheels. Mr.. Whit
..mb', olirri To secure Mr. ,irilln rs an agent
t4r Brnwu, Ia Introduce The NANNY Mower IN
WAdo 60. Mr.. Griffin showed him his improve
lurn ia the RAKE linz, and flsethei they convaSsed
ii- merits and demerit> and chances for improve
lu-un The next winter after this, Mr.. Whitcomb
Experimental dpon the idea there received, and AS
result. brought out the rake that bears his name,
ul - secured 10 him by patent. Other, have i'm
,o,,ed upon, or added 10 the IN inor parts, and oh
3,inei different patents under various names, till
NOW have enough rake> to >nit the most fistd
lsu~ fancy, from which to choose all springing
iranl this simple single idea of an industrious,
hardworklng farmer, VINO sought to alleviate his
l1sor>. rather than to enrich himself Had Mr..
griffin secured thi> by patent he would have made
tt t splendid fortune. Yet like most other
tul inventions. he who is the most deserving often
iral.~ Tie least recompense We would not detract
fir irsSl from Mr. Whcomb'- merits or honor,
tul W, ~oaid place Ihe record f,ir and say. honor
o. aNhuIH honor i dlir. Perhaps Il word about Mr.
Mainly, The inventor ui the only successful machine
u+ 10 lhal time, may not he amiss. After wears of
..bariuas industry, and inventive study, he brought
nut hi> mower. Others have seized the leading
principles aud made fortunes from them, while he
who gss all deserving. two wears ago, was work
us iiir machine shop of Algirus Brown OF
Worcester, "a ioutneyman machnst. AT least,
-l I All informed.
Mr Griffin proposes 10 take tins unique pioneer
f-.kt. 10 Our Fair menento OF the past, and a
elnira>t with the present. We hope he will do 50,
Il canoi fail Ia attract much attention from our
farmers and citizens. There could he no more
suggestive, interesting, useful cabinet of relics
4nd turio>lties constructed, than one made up of
The earlier Agricultural tools of this country. The
~cyiheN .hoes, pitchforks, plows harrows, and wag
on>, with the improvements made every ten years
added the tools of each decade by themselves.
Mhu would not be glad 10 see the state, through its
Agricultural Society gather up such collection !
W hat IA contrast there would he between the Old
wooden pow of l,15 and the light steel pow of
lS.a. What volumes would those clumsy, awk-
~ard implements speak TO the perceptiye spirit of
The progressive Agricultural of to-day. Memories
OF the oldcn time would come with the old wooden
i-"thrd harrow, of those hdrrotcing ''tmes tn at
tried mems souls" Our state preserves the sword
"I The warrior, the musket of the soldier the shot
And shells OF various battle fields and why not pre
-i-i'e these peaceful mementoes of mans endeay-
Nr- i"hetrr hi condition, and productive industry.