MODES OF CUTTING. 



171 



it is fully ripe ; I think this can be safely put down at ten per 

 cent., and some call it as high as twenty per cent." A farmer 

 in another town in the same county says : " Have not used any. 

 There are a number of machines in the town. Allen's patent 

 has done the best work this season. Ketchum's improved 

 machine does pretty well. I think they are coming into use 

 more and more." 



The following extract is from the statement of Dr. Loring, 

 made to the Essex Society during the past season. 



" The ground upon which my machine (Ketchum's) was 

 operated, furnished a very severe test of its power. Most part 

 of it is clayey, heavy soil, very wet in wet seasons and stiff and 

 rough in dry ones. . No special care has been taken in laying it 



