FARM IMPLEMENTS. 151 



35 swaths, each . . .5 feet m width. 

 30 " " ... 5.5 " " 



28 " " . . . 6 " " 



Fifty minutes' time being allowed for the cutting of an acre 

 (which is the average time derived from the statements herein 

 noticed,) it is apparent that each swath can be cut in less than 

 one minute. Allow for turning at the end, one-quarter part 

 the time taken in cutting, and it will be matter of demonstra- 

 tion, that, with the ordinary speed of a team at work — say be- 

 tween two and three miles to the hour — an acre of grass can be 

 cut within the time mentioned. 



For the reasons herein before stated, the committee thought 

 it inexpedient to presume to make any award of the premium 

 of $25 for the best mowing machine presented at the show. 

 This could not be done without giving a preference, in some 

 respects, to one macl:^e over another. And as the committee 

 are unanimous in tliP opinion that all the machines are less 

 complete than they should b , they forbea • to specify their 

 deficiencies, leaving them to be discovered by mec anics more 

 expert than themselves. While got up, as were Pindar's razors, 

 to sell, the machines will never be worth buying. 



The committee, when they commenced their labors, hoped to 

 have given a favorable report of a new form of mowing ma- 

 chine, made by a Massachusetts mechanic, Fisk Russell, of Bos- 

 ton, of which some notice was taken the last year. But they 

 will wait one year more, when they hope a combination of cir- 

 cumstances will enable a more favorable report to be given 

 than can now with propriety be made. They are satisfied it is 

 not without merit. They are by no means sure that its cutting 

 principle is not superior to any other. 



The bounty of the generous donor was not confined to one 

 class of implements, but extended to all useful implements pre- 

 sented. The committee regretted that a greater variety had 

 not been brought to their notice. 



The fourth premium offered, " for the best and most useful 

 agricultural implement not being a mowing machine, $20," 

 they cheerfully and unanimously award to E. D. L, Bryant, of 

 West Boxford, for his thresher and cleaner of grain, an imple- 

 ment to which their attention was called at the exhibition in 



