SECRETARY'S REPORT. 133 



By using the machine the crop can be harvested in less time, 

 thereby enabling me to cut most of my grass when it is in the best 

 condition. It diminishes the necessity for extra labor in the haying 

 season ; a season when, from the great demand, labor commands a 

 high price, thus reducing the cost of the hay harvest. It is a relief 

 to the most laborious part of haying, changing the burden from 

 human to brute force, the change being rendered still more effective 

 by the aid of machinery. And last, though not least, it is a great 

 relief to the in-door department of the farm. It costs much less to 

 board and lodge a mower constructed of wood, iron and steel, than 

 its equivalent made up of blood, bones and muscles. The former 

 is always " on hand" when wanted, the latter must sometimes be 

 sought for. 



I wish to disclaim, expressly, any intention, in the foregoing- 

 remarks, of " sounding a trumpet" for any particular machine, or 

 patent. I found Manny's mower of 185*7 better than Ketchum's 

 of 1854 ; and I should expect amj machine of 1859 to possess marked 

 improvements over those of 185*7. It is not to be supposed that 

 mowing machines are yet perfect. Inventors, and manufacturers 

 have done much, but farmers are expecting still more. A wider 

 swath, without increase of draft is wanted. Also a practical one- 

 horse mower for the farmer of ten to thirty acres of mowing. 



A horse mower may be worked on land quite uneven and stony, 

 so also may hand scythes, but it will be at the cost of extra wear 

 of the implements, in either case, and is bad economy. Ground 

 smoothly laid and freed from stones and other obstructions, is very 

 desirable, though not absolutely indispensable, in the use of a 

 mower as in many other tools. 



Can mowers be employed upon the uneven, stony hay-fields of 

 Maine? is no longer an unsolved problem. The only question now 

 is, can they be used with a profit ? I answer without hesitation, I 

 believe they can. Every farmer in Maine who has thirty, or more, 

 acres, mostly cleared of stumps and rocks, would, in mj opinion, 

 act wisely in procuring, at once, a mower. The rattle of fifty ma- 

 chines should greet the ear in many towns in the State, during the 

 haj^ season of 1860, where only a solitary one was heard in 1859. 

 Undoubtedly manufacturers are realizing large profits from their 

 machines at the present high prices, and those prices must soon be 

 reduced, but farmers cannot afford to wait for this. Purchase 

 mowers now, wear them out, and be prepared then to purchase 



