355 



greater strain time and experience "vrill demonstrate. Apart from tlie 

 consideration of the mechanical construction of the power by 

 which action is given to the knife and reel, there is less difference 

 in the principle of cutting grain than might bo imagined ; all cut 

 with a knife against a steel, the two forming, as it were, the blades of 

 shears, the former gathering the grain and forcing it against the lat- 

 ter to be cut off". The McCormick machine is, perhaps, the only one 

 which is an exception, for it does not profess to cut upon the principle 

 of shears, the blades of the knife being oval instead 'of pointed, and 

 therefore incapable of gathering to any material extent ; their edges 

 serrlited instead of smooth, so that when the standing grain is touched 

 by the knife it is cut. The blades of many other machines have serrated 

 edges, but none of them cut upon the same principle. McCormick 

 of Virginia, and Hussey of, Maryland, were competitors for the honor 

 of being the first inventor of the reaper, and they diifered in the prin- 

 ciple just mentioned, each patenting his machine with this specific dif- 

 ference. It is an essential difference, and one which preserves itself to 

 this day. Of the merits or demerits of the one or the other the pur- 

 chaser must judge, and in making np that judgment these considera- 

 tions enter into it. The defect in all machines is that in their operation 

 they choke, and thus fail to cut, and stop. This is occasioned by the 

 obstacles which cause lateral pressure, whether that be the weight of 

 the grain cut or irregularities upon the surface, for as the bar recedes 

 the knife for thfe moment ceases to operate ; but the forward motion 

 still gathers the grain into the shears, until the quantity resists the 

 cutting power, and the operation is clogged and stopped. The claim 

 for the machine which does not thus gather up the grain to be cut is, 

 that it is not to the same extent liable to this objection. AVhatever may 

 bo said for or against the machine which runs upon one or two wheels, 

 there is no such thing as providing entirely against lateral i)ressure. 

 The McCormick machine runs upon one wheel, while almost all others 

 have two. It is claimed for these that, having two wheels, they have a 

 broader and firmer base, und are therefore less liable to lateral pressure ; 

 but this may well be doubted, inasmuch as two wheels capable of mov- 

 ing backward or forward, or one standing while the other moves for- 

 ward, are more easily affected than one somewhat imbedded in the soft 

 ground. • 



To avoid the side-draught and induce a steady forward motion is a 

 geat desideratum, and for this reason it is well to consider what is the 

 best kind of team to be used. The whole machine is guided by the 

 tongue, and if it can be kept steadily in its course, lateral pressure is 

 thereby avoided. If there be but a single pair of horses used, the point 

 of the tongue is free to sway from side to side^^ and the cutting-bar 

 necessarily loses its leeway, and while regaining it the operation of the 

 knife is stopped, and the machine consequently clogged. If four horses 

 be used, this renders necessary the double-tree, single-trees, and loiig 

 trace-trains, the whole keeping up a continued vibration at the end of 

 the tongue which is ill-adapted to steadiness of motion. Three horses, 

 then, wouki seem to be more appropriate to the attainment of the object 

 desired. One hitched immediately to the end of the tongue, whose 

 power would be constantly used in drawing the machine, would also 

 tend in a greater degree to preserve a steady forward motion. 



We have said that there is scarcely any reaper which will not oper- 

 ate successfully in the hands of a skillful manager, but the farmer 

 should not be deceived by such t.est. Far better rely upon the charac- 



