Z(54 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



invention is applicable to any kind of grain, whether long or short, 

 or heavy or light, and will he admirable for gathering and bunch- 

 ing clover seed, or buckwheat. 



A farmer, with one of these machines, can go into his grain field 

 alone, and drive round and round, as easily as he does in his mow- 

 ing lot. When he has cut as much grain as he desires, he may 

 set down from his seat, and cast otf the chain that drives the reel» 

 unhook the platform, raise it from the cutter-bar, and drive away, 

 leaving the reaper and raker part of the machine on the ground, 

 and in live minutes from the time he dropped the last gavel, he may 

 be mowing grass. 



I have had considerable experience with reaping machines. I 

 attended the great reaper trial at Auburn last summer, Avhere 

 I heard the talk of machine makers and farmers. I am greatly 

 mistaken if this is not the greatest desideratum yet offered to grain 

 growers. I firmly believe it is far superior to any other self-raking 

 attachment ever invented. 



jMr. Crane has lately been much among the grain farmers of 

 Illinois, where he saw the w^ant of such a machine as this. He 

 says: "It cannot be spoken of in terms sufficiently high. It 

 works to the entire satisfaction of everybody." 



It is a satisfaction to the committee to feel that they will be 

 able to make this invention known to farmers, and that the reports 

 of this club will be the first to publish it to the world. 



WiNTERixG Potatoes. 



Mr. Robert W. Clay, Olney, 111. : "How shall I put up Irish 

 potatoes to keep best over winter V " Should they be buried 

 immediately after being taken from the hills ?" 



Mr. P. T. Quinn. — I will say a word upon the question of win- 

 tering potatoes and other roots. The sooner the latter are put in 

 the earth again after digging the better, and I am satisfied that with 

 them as I know it is with carrots, if the dirt is put directly upon 

 the roots they M'ill keep Ijetter than they will if first covered with 

 straw. If straw is necessary to prevent freezing, I would put it 

 outside of the earth covering. Some roots — parsnips, for instance — • 

 will not keep well, unless mixed through and through with earth; 

 sand is best. 



