12Q BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Other machines have a dead point here, shoving and piling up the 

 grass in front, or riding over it and raising up the finger bar, and 

 some, infringing Kotchum's Patent, secure this same space, so im- 

 portant, by locating the finger bar before or behind the main wheel, 

 although it is apparent that a location on the line of the shaft se- 

 cures many advantages not otherwise attained. 



9. 2'he Shield Plate, or extension of the shoe upward and forward 

 from the heel of the finger bar, is important to equalize the draught 

 and prevent the cut grass from piling up in front of, and clogging 

 the machine. This is patented by Mr. Ketchum, and belongs ex- 

 clusively to the Ketchum Machine. 



10. The Hinged Trad:- Clearer upon the outer end of the finger 

 bar, also patented by Mr. Ketchum, is of great importance in cut- 

 ting heavy grass, to separate the cut from the uncut grass, and to 

 prevent clogging. 



11. The Wheel and Lever attached to the inner shoe, ingeniously 

 arranged, so that the driver can, while sitting in his seat, instantly 

 raise the finger bar for the purpose of passing over obstructions, 

 backing, &c. Tliis has been very much needed. 



12. A very important improvement in this machine is, that it can 

 be instantly thrown out of or into gear, by means of a short lever, 

 which can be operated with ease by the driver on the seat. 



13. The Finger Bar is made of wrought iron, of the proper width 

 to prevent the cut grass from lodging thereon, and the grass is al- 

 ways EVENLY SPREAD. 



14. The Height of the Cut is readily adjusted by means of the pole 

 bolts. 



15. An equal Balance of the machine is always maintained by 

 means of the seat and other arrangements, so that the machine will 

 not tip over, and will always bear lightly upon the team. 



16. One person, and even a.boy, can easily manage Ketchum's 

 Machine. Many others, particularly in heavy grass, require two 

 persons. 



IT. The Speed of Team Required, is an ordiiuiry walk of common 

 farm horses. 



After repeated and long continued experiments, in the field and 

 manufactory, the proprietors have succeeded in producing a one 

 horse mowing machine, which for simplicity of construction, light- 

 ness of draft, ease of operation, and the low price at which it is 

 sold, must recommend itself to every New England farmer. 



