136 [Assembly 



be employed in our farm operations with economy, prudence and 

 safety. The farmer will compare the cost of an engine, the fuel 

 and wages for working it, with cost, food and care of horses : the 

 wear of the engine must be computed, as well as the depreciation 

 of animals by age and hard labor. It is not necessary to enter 

 into these estimates now, yet they are mentioned to draw the at- 

 tention of farmers to an auxiliary highly esteemed and exten- 

 sively employed in other countries. 



It is regretted that Messrs. Hoard & Bradford did not present 

 their engine at Utica for further trial, as your committee was pre- 

 pared to devote much time to its examination : they had purposed 

 to lay before the farmers of New-York an account of existing im- 

 provements in this branch of agricultural machinery, as a motive 

 power for their uses, and to have examined the comparative values 

 of fuel whether of coals or wood ; thus leading the mind to in- 

 quiries which at an early day will probably be forced upon our 

 consideration. Messrs. H. & B- were prevented from attending 

 by the sickness of the men in their employ. 



Among other important questions, even now claiming our care, 

 is the relative value of portable and stationary powers. It is a 

 question which should earnestly engage the consideration of the 

 farmer who uses the power of horses with machinery, for it ma- 

 terially atfects the economy of the farm, in the disposition of the 

 buildings and various means for the protection of grain crops .^^ 



Knowing that steam power is employed in British husbandry, 

 and that it is claimed to be a source of economy and profit, it 

 seems to be a fair field for American enterprise and ingenuity, to 

 seek a result as successful in the application of steam to farm 

 labor, as has been achieved on our rivers, our roads, and on the 

 ocean. 



PRICES OF MACHINES. 



Before closing this report your committee ask attention to the 

 column of prices or marketable values, in the table, as declared 

 by the several proprietors of machines presented for trial. It 

 has long been a source of annoyance to the farmer to be urged 



