AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS AND RURAL ECONOMY. 



105 



labor, and enables the operator to cut with greater ease and more facility than with the old- 

 fashioned hay-knife, which has not a cross-head handle. The knife also cuts in two direc- 

 tions, both vertically and horizontally. 



The claim of this patent sets forth the nature of the invention clearly ; it is as follows : 

 " I claim attaching a blade made of sheet-steel, and bent at its upper extremity, so as to stand 

 out from the handle and between the arms, whereby a great saving in time, labor, and ex- 

 pense in making hay-knives can be effected, and an equal distribution of the power of the 

 operator exerted in a perfect manner upon the edge of the knife, causing it to act more 

 effectually upon the hay than the ordinary knife." 



Hand Thrashing-Machine. 



Among the agricultural machines recently introduced into England, a hand thrashing- 

 machine, invented by the Rev. Mr. Wilson, of Ayrshire, is worthy of note. We present two 

 engravings of this improvement. Fig. 1 being a perspective elevation of a machine in- 

 tended to be worked by human power, and fig. 2 a corresponding view of the same in 



section. 



Fig. 1. 



In the common thrashing-machine, the essential feature of the separating apparatus con- 

 sists of a cylinder known as the "drum," fitted with projecting beaters, placed longitudinally 

 upon the cylinder. Such a revolving drum is contrived so that its projecting arms shall 

 strike the grain as it passes between the rollers. Mr. Wilson substitutes for the drum a 

 species of flattened beater, revolving on a shaft, and giving the grain two distinct thrashing 

 blows at each revolution. This beater is made of a flat, rectangular board, attached to a 

 shaft, as delineated in fig. 2. 



This thrashing-machine possesses the advantage of being worked by hand as well as by 

 horse or steam power. A single attendant can accomplish the whole process of thrashing. 

 The separation of the grain from the straw is effected more economically, and with a less 

 expenditure of power than hitherto, by reason of the unthrashed grain being struck on both 

 sides alternately. 



The framing of the machine is an ordinary rectangular erection, having a platform A at 

 one end, with an adjustable seat B for an attendant, who feeds the unthrashed grain into the 

 machine, and at the same time aids the thrashing action with his feet. He accomplishes the 



