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

large meeting of Cereal Grange No. p
in Hastings, to discuss the question as 10
the best and cheapest method OF harvest
ing. :,
Chauncev 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. He
thought as a rule we started into har-
vesting week or ten days too late.
Jonathan 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. lie had run
two different kinds of reapers, and pre-
ferred the harvesters.
Hon. John Byers thought the gain was
in threshing 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 haryesters, IN
preference to the common reapers. He
had had experience in ''heading," but
should not try it again
Mr.. johnson thought it was proper to
cut the wheat green, provided it was set
no in the shock at once, and not allowed
to lay on the ground, This avoided too
the danger OF storms in the middle oil
harvest.
Mr.. Tompkins. OF Rice Valley, had
had experience both ways, and thought
..headinyn could be done more cheaply
than any other way, as the grain could
be as well preserved if it was properly
stacked. He thought the whole success:
OF heading turned on the stacking.
Charles A. Baker spoke as to the self
binders. He thought the cost OF thu
!. wire on the self-binder would cost three
, dollars tor ten acres, and that this woult
pay for an extra man. He thought th'
, wire binder would not be practicable
, he spoke OF the straw selt-binder; 1t ha'
I. not been perfected vet. 1t would have
tair trial this summer,
4 general interchange of views tool
: place in the shape of questions and an
: swers. The meeting and discussion wer
! a decided success. Some visitors wer
: present from Point Douglass. The gen
> eral opinion seemed to be in favor OF tn
), harves,ers, with hope that a selt-bir
). der might be yet invented that would d
n good work.
The next meeting Of the grange wi
: be held at Hastings on the last Ssturda
!. OF July at . o'clock p. m. sharp. In
it subject OF debate will be What PR
J. portion of farm should be occupied b
= the different crops?" This will invols
e the interesting issue whether or not tt
Minnesota farmers are raising too mue
| wheat. and not enough oats, corn, &c.
g We hope there will be a large attic
= dance. The grange will be glad
e. have delegates present from other gra
!. yes. and to have them present the
As views. We will try and furnish +
an port of the debate on this very ir1teres
ing question. So gentlemen. prepa
r. Yourselves and come forward with yo
ur experience.