j;o6 On Thrashing Machines. DeC» 



J am equally Satisfied, that the attendant disadvantages will 

 effectually prevent such from being general] j used. 



Before I finish, permit me to give a word of caution to such 

 as have in contemplation to erect a madiine, and are un- 

 acquainted with the several operations. In many instan- 

 ces good machines have been entirely spoiled by impro- 

 per management ; therefore, a thorough bred feeder should In 

 the first place be sought after. The feeder is, in fact, the direc- 

 tor of tlie whole work, and according to the degree of know- 

 ledge and activity he possesses will the success of the under- 

 taking be regulated. A corn miller is thought to require a 

 kind of apprenticeship before a mill is committed to his care ; 

 but a thrashing miller is often taken from the plough, and en- 

 trusted witii an office that requires as much, if not more know- 

 ledge and dexterity. In a v^ord, much loss has been sustain- 

 ed from employing utiexperienced hands. This was sensibly 

 felt at the outset, and must still take place in every district, 

 though perhaps in a less degree, where machines are not cus- 

 tomarily ui-ed. The feeder's office, simply considered of itself, 

 is not a ditilcult one, but v/lien it is remembered,, that the care 

 of the vv^hole machinery lies upon him, it will at once be ac- 

 knowledged, that a servant of superior abilities ought to oc- 

 cupy that office, especially in the case of nevr erections. In 

 England, where, except in the northern and eastern districts^ 

 the thrashing macliineis hardly known, the abov^e caution mav be. 

 particularly useful; for I have it from good authoritv,that there 

 even a pair of fanners were laid aside, merely because the 

 people eniployed to work them did not know how to place 

 the riddles and to temper the implement* 



Thus I have given you my impartial opinion of your cor- 

 respondent A. G.'s communication ^ and am sorry to add, that 

 I eannot discover one fact or observation therein, which 

 throws light upon the history of tlirs^hing machines, or which 

 encreases the general stock of knowledge already possessed 

 by the country, respecting that valuable implement. 



J am. Sir, yours, &-c. 



Arator. 



P. S, In cai;e of objections being made to the charge of lo 

 per cent, on the first cost of a thrashing machine, when an al- 

 lowance is given for tear and wear, I think proper to add,, 

 that as one half of that charge is reqiilred to defray the ordi- 

 nary interest, the remainder will serve as a stock-fund,, 

 whence a new machine may be erected, when the old one is 

 woni out ; the allowance for tear and wear being merely in- 

 tended for defraying the expeiices oi repairing the implement, 

 which, in many cases, are considerable. 



TO 



