138 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



cradle, and flail. Notwithstanding, Pliny described a reaping ma- 

 chine in A. D. 23, and Palladius in A. D. 301 , both driven by oxen. From 

 that time down — fourteen hundred years — history is silent. A patent 

 for a reaping machine was taken out in England in 1799, which pro- 

 duced no practical results. The first successful reaping or mowing 

 machine was invented and patented by Obed Hussey in 1833 — the 

 chief novel device of which consists in a scalloped knife cutting 

 between two fingers. From 1834 to 1872 four thousand and five hun- 

 dred patents had been obtained for improvements in reaping and 

 mowing devices. In the meantime the number of patents for culti- 

 vators, harrows, etc., were legion. Now the mechanics of agriculture 

 is in a high state of perfection, while invention and experience are 

 rapidly producing more useful implements. It is a proud boast, but 

 nevertheless true, that more has been accomplished in the last fifty 

 years in perfecting agricultural machinery than was done in all pre- 

 ceding time; and in no time since history recorded events has prog- 

 ress been so sure of its foothold, so firm in step, and so rapid in 

 stride. 



With this review of the mechanics of agriculture, from the earliest 

 periods to the present, let us investigate the social, commercial, and 

 political aspect of the subject: The first word which meets our vision 

 is caste, blazoned in bold relief on the page of history gone by. The 

 ruling classes in all nations ranked the priest above the soldier, and the 

 soldier above the tiller of the soil. A greater fallacy, a greater wrong 

 could not be perpetrated upon any age, people, or government; for, as 

 Liebig justly remarks, " Perfect agriculture is the true foundation 

 of all trade and industry — is the foundation of the riches of states." 

 Greece rose to the highest eminence in the exact sciences, in fine arts, 

 in classic literature, in the arts of war, and in architecture; her tem- 

 ples and public buildings were models of classic taste and beauty. 

 So true to nature were her works of art, that under the touch of the 

 sculptor's chisel the marble was said to "warm into life." For these 

 we honor her. But alas! the tillers of her soil were mostly slaves. 

 The ancient Greek delighted in the glories of war, the allurement of 

 political preferment, the charms of music, but considered agriculture 

 as servile and degrading. Rome, in the days of her republican vigor, 

 sets a brighter example. To every citizen was allotted, first, about 

 two acres, subsequently six acres of land, which he was expected to 

 till by his personal efforts. To Horatius, who kept the bridge so well, 



"They gave him of the corn-land 

 That was of public right, 

 As much as two strong oxen 



Could plow from morn to night." 



Her greatest warriors and wisest statesmen felt it an honor to earn 

 their bread by the "sweat of their brow." Cato, distinguished for 

 his lofty patriotism, profound statesmanship, skillful generalship, 

 great learning, and unbending virtue, says: "I come now to the 

 pleasures of husbandry, in which I vastly delight; they are not inter- 

 rupted by old age, and they seem to me to be pursuits in which a 

 wise man's life should be spent. The earth does not rebel against 

 authority; it never gives back without usury what it receives. The 

 gains of husbandry are not what exclusively commend it; I am 

 charmed with the nature and productive virtues of the soil. In my 

 opinion there can be no happier life; not only because the tillage of 



