JIO ON" MECHANICAL IMPROVEMENRS, May 2 5, 



^inds of feeds, which are fixed into the axle, and by the re- 

 solution round its axis, thus divide the feeds into right pro- 

 jiortions ; and that the price of the whole completely fitted- 

 up at tlie place of fale in London, isten guineas. 



Threjhing Machine. 

 An'OTher mechanical contrivance of great confequewce ]to 

 i^ritifn farmers has been of late difcoveredin Scotland, "f/!S. a 

 machine for tbrcfhing grain of all ibrts : The original in- 

 ventor of this apparatus was a Mr. Muckle, an ingenious 

 mechanic in Eaft Lothian. But though thir gentleman 

 brought it at frrft to fuch perfection, as to perform the o- 

 peration required, others have improved fo much upon it 

 lince, as to have rendered it a much more perfect inlhumcnt j 

 :md in the improved ilate it- now flands, it is perhaps the 

 tnoft ufeful invention that has been made refpefting agri- 

 culture in our time. 



The Romans, and all ancient nations that we know of, per- 

 formed this operation of agricultnre by means of oxen, which 

 were driven about upon the threfliing floor till the grain was 

 leparated from the ftraw. To this praftice the infpired 

 penman alludes, when he fays, " neither Ihalt thou muzzle 

 the ox that treadeth out the corn." But though this prac- 

 tice prevailed for many ages, amoDg people whole v^ildom we 

 revere, it can only be conMered as a very aukward invention 

 at the beft. In modern times, an implement called a Jtajl, 

 has been very unlverfally adopted, and is fo generally 

 known, as to require no particular ■defcription her£. This 

 implement is ufed by the hand of man, and under proper 

 management, is capable of performing the work witl) great 

 accuracy, though it is at beil a laborious and expenlive ope- 

 ration, and is moreover liable to abufe oy the negligence or 

 villainy of the perfon employed for that purpofe, if not very 

 carefully looked after. 



The machine in quellion, is calculated to obviate all 

 thefe defects ; and in its moft improved ftate, it does this 

 in a very complete and fatisfadtory manner. With re- 

 fpeift to accuracy, it can be fo fet before the operation is 

 begun, as of necriTity to feparate tfvery grain from the flravv 

 ■completely 5 and may be made to birat it either more 0/ 

 lefs feverely, as the n-lure of the corn, to be fubjecledio 



