1)^1. ON MECHA:bnCAL IMPROVEMETTTS. Ilf 



the operation requires : neither is the llraw more broken 

 than in ordinary threftiing. 



As to expedition, that may be adapted to the crrcum- 

 ftances of the cafe, however large the farm may be. A ma- 

 chine to be driven by one horfe, will, without difficulty, 

 threfh from twelvj to fixteen bufhcls of wheat rn an hour, 

 aud other kinds of grain in proportion. If more is requir- 

 ed, it is only enlarging the machinery, and augmentingr 

 the moving power in proportion to what is wanted. 



As to expence, every one may calculate that for himfelf, 

 from the following data : For a machine of the fize above 

 indicated, is required to work it, one horfe, where water to 

 turn th.e machinery cannot be commanded, a boy to drive 

 him, if he has not been accuflomed to that work, a per- 

 fon to feed the machine, with an afTiflant to bring the 

 flieaves to his hand, and one perfon to (hake the ftraw with 

 a pitch fork, and throw it by; or if it be to be made up in 

 little bundles for any particular ufe, a greater number, as 

 circumllances ihall require. 



The greateft part of the grain that comes from the nia- 

 chine, has the chaff feparated from it in a confiderable de- 

 gree, fo as to admit of being very eafily winnowed ; nor 

 would it be difficult to make it pafs through a winnowing' 

 machine, to be turned by the fame power j but this 

 renders the machine more complex, and of courfe the more 

 liable to go out of order, an ^ would require belides, a greater 

 force to move it •, fo that I fhould tliink this rather an unne- 

 ceffary refinement, than an ufeful improvement. 



To give a diftinft idea of the manner in which this ma- 

 chine produces its effedts, would require the afliilance of ;i 

 pretty long defcription, aided by figures, which fliail be 

 given in iomc of the fubfequent numbers of this work. In 

 the mean time, it may give fome fatisfaftion to many, to 

 know that the exj)ence of one of thefe machines, of the fize 

 above indicated, completely fitted up, in a condition for 

 working, is tx^Aly forty pounds ; that the apparatus is fo 

 fimple, and fo firmly conftruclcd, as to iland in need of little 

 *epairj and that^it occupies of houfe room, only abcutfis feet 

 by ten ; fo that tlie faving in refpect of buildings, wliere a 

 quantity of threfliing is required, nearly equal to what 

 would keep it going, would be at leaft tour times grv^itr 

 lu moll places than the price of the machine. 



