123 Letter from George Dempjler^ Efq. May. 



to influence his judgement, when fubjc6ts connected with the 

 improvement of the country were under difcuflion, but fupport- 

 ed them according to their utihty, no matter by whom they 

 were brought forward. 



Now, when he has retired to private life, he continues to 

 polTefs the fame animated defire of doing good to the commu- 

 nity, as when he filled a pubUc ftation. Long may the country 

 have caufe to boaft that it polfeires fuch a citizen ; and may he, 

 in his advanced years, enjoy every comfort which makes life plea- 

 fant and agreeable. Senlible that the countenance and approba- 

 tion of fuch a man will prove of the utmofh advantage to the 

 caufe in which we are engaged, it will be our (ludy to retain his 

 favour, and to profit by every hint coming from fuch a refpe£t- 

 able quarter. N. 



TO THE CONDUCTOR OF THE FARMER S MAGAZINE. 



On ThraJIj'uig Ala chines. 



Sir, 



The thrafhing machine is confefTedly one of the greateft im- 

 provements that have been introduced in our day. It not only lef- 

 fens human labour, and that of a kind which is intolerably fe- 

 vere, but gives a greater return to the farmer than was formerly 

 gained by the operation of flails. On thefe accounts, I am glad 

 to fee the fubject taken up in your Magazine, and trull that a de- 

 fcription of its merits cannot fail to prove beneficial to the public 

 in feveral refpefts. 



Your correfpondent A. G. (Vol. 3. p. 428.), feems, however, 

 rather imperfectly acquainted with the hiftory of this ufcful im- 

 plement •, and, if I am not miflaken, is alfo deficient in the know- 

 ledge of its powers, and the principles on which it is conftru6led. 

 Give me leave, therefore, to make a few remarks on his letter, 

 and to explain, in a brief way, the various attempts that have 

 been made by different perfons, at different periods, to conflruCl 

 thrafhing machines. My opportunities of acquiring information 

 concerning thefe matters have been numerous ; but whether I have 

 improved them aright, will beft appear from the fequel. I (hall, 

 in the firfl place, elucidate the hiftory of the machine ; then in- 

 vefligate what is faid by A. G. refpe6i:ing his various attempts to 

 improve it ; laflly, demonftratc that thrafhing machines of a fmall 

 fize are a real and pofitive lofs to every farmer who ufes them, 

 and that the flail is preferable to thefe weak and comparatively 

 gowerlefs implements. 



Before 



