The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-07-08
The Discussion in the Hastings Grange as 70
the Best Method of Harvesting


On Saturday, June 25th, there was a
large meeting of Cereal Grange No. 70
in Hastings, to discuss the question as to
the best and cheapest method OF harvest
ing. -
Chauncey johnson, Esq, opened the
debate. He said his experience had
been with the Mccormick reaper. 1t
had averaged him $3.50 per acre in the
stack, including wages, board and every
thing. He worked but ten hours day.
He favored the Marsh Harvester. 1t
did as much as the Mccormick Advance
reaper with two binders less. lie
thought as a rule we started into har-
vesting week or ten days too late.
Johnathan Beswick, Esq, thought
that a small farmer with his own boys
could work to advantage with any ordl-
nary reaper. He favored the Marsh
Harvester or Edward Harvester as the
best implements.
Robert Manners, Esq, held similar
views with last speaker. tie had run
two different kinds of reapers, and pre-
ferred the harvesters.
Hon. John Byers thought the gain was
in threshng out of the shock, and not in
the kind of machine and that it would
not pay to stand upon The quarter OF wa
ges, but to pay the highest price and get
the crop into market at once.
He also preferred the harvesters to the
old fashioned reapers. He didn't like
the header" he had always lost by it.
Geo. f. Dennis, Esq, favored the
Marsh, Edward, or other harvesters, in
~ Tho oo,pmnD raanarc He
had had experience in heading" but
should not try it again. =
Mr.. johnson thought it was proper to
cut the wheat green, provided 1t was sci
up in the shock at once, and not allowed
to Law on the ground, This avoided toe
the danger OF storms in the middle OIL
harvest.
Mr.. Tompkins, of Rice Valley, hao
had experience both ways, and thought
.heading" could be done more cheaply
than any other way, as the grain coult
be as well preserved if it was properly
, stacked. He thought the whole success:
OF ..heading" turned on the stacking.
/, Charles 4. Baker spoke as to the self
! binders. He thought the cost of thu
> wire on the self-binder would cost three
a dollars tor ten acres, and that this woul'
pay for an extra man. He thought tn
o wire binder would not be practicable
, he spoke of the straw self-binder; it ha
: not been perfected yet. 1t would have
: tair trial this summer.
y A general Interchange of views too
:. place in the shape Of questions and ar
! swers. The meeting and discussion wer
4 a decided success. Some visitors wer
: present from Point Douglass. The ger
. eral opinion seemed to be in favor OF tn
i harves,ers. with hope that self-biI
!. der might be We. invented that would d
n good work.
The next meeting Of the grange WI
be held at Hastings on the last Saturda
!, OF July at 9 o'clock p. m. sharp. III
It subject OF debate will be:-"What pr
!. portion of farm should be occupied /
Is the different crops?" This will invol,
|e the interesting issue whether or not Il
Minnesota farmers are raising too mu'
!. wheat, and not enough oats, corn, sc.
80 We hope there will be large attic
e. dance. The grange will be glad
. have delegates present from other gra
he ges. and to have them present the
as views. We will try and furnish I
on port of the debate on this very iritere.
ing question. So gentlemen, prepa
ri. Yourselves and come forward with 20
ur experience.