132 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Other machines have been introduced into this State to a greater 

 or less extent, as Ilallenback's, Manny's. &c. Of the hitter, Mr. 

 Joseph Frost of Elliot, writes: "We have used Manny's mowing 

 machine for two years ; have worked it with horses and oxen ; and 

 with one man and a good span of horses, it will in heavy grass do 

 more work and do it better than four of the best men we can hire 

 can do with scythes in the same time. With Manny's mower, the 

 revolver and drag-rake, we estimate our expenses in harvesting hay 

 at fifty per cent, less than it was before we went into the use of 

 these tools." 



Manny's machine is also referred to in the following communi- 

 cation from Samuel F. Perley, Esq., of Naples, late President of the 

 Maine State Agricultural Society, and one of the most intelligent 

 and thoroughly practical farmers in the State. It was written me 

 in reply to a request for a leaf from his experience in the use of 

 moweis, and is commended to the attention of any who are yet 

 sceptical as to the utility and economy of these machines : 



" My experience with mowers has been in this wise. June 30tli, 

 1854, I purchased a Ketchum's mower, Xo. 4042, at a cost of one 

 hundred thirty-four dollars ($134.) This machine performed its 

 woi'k well ; left the stubble even, about the rig-ht length, and the 

 grass well spread. But it was an ungainly thing to handle; 

 wouldn't start without coaxing, wouldn't go without dragging, 

 wouldn't back without lifting, would clog occasionally, cspeciallj' 

 if the wind blew fresh, and w^as a sad waster of horse-flesh, making 

 no mention of galled wdthcrs. Still, Avith all its faults I used it 

 three seasons, and found a profit in so doing. 



July 28th, 1851, after a trial, I purchased a Manny's mower, 

 No. 875, at a cost of one hundred and fifteen dollars. This machine 

 has given almost perfect satisfaction. Two horses, weighing ten 

 hundred pounds each, have run it in the hottest weather, at a speed 

 of one acre per hour, without undue fatigue. 



I find by six years experience that, in actual service, one man, 

 two horses and a machine are, in an average of chances, in heavy 

 and light grass, equal to five men with hand sc^-thes, and one 

 spreader, say six men. The work is better performed by the ma- 

 chine than by the most skillful hand mowers ; the stubble being 

 left even, none too high, none too low ; and the spreading is more 

 perfect than anybody's boy, or man, even, can do it. 



