136 On the Hessian Fh 



y- 



brushing, as they would more effectually sweep the 

 ground, and would not lacerate the young wheat so 

 much as branches from a common tree ^vhen divested 

 of their foliage. A small staple is put in each end of the 

 axle-tree about two and a half feet from the end, to which 

 a couple o^ chains or ropes can be fastened, by which 

 the machine is dragged by a single horse after the man- 

 ner of a gleaning rake. About three feet from the axle- 

 tree a piece of common lath may be placed parallel to the 

 axle-tree, to which each branch of brush can be lashed 

 fast by a small cord, so as to bring them upon a hori- 

 zontal line, and prevent any one from bearing with greater 

 force than the others upon the young wheat. The brush 

 can also be regulated or placed equi-distant by means of 

 the lath, and accidental vacancies supplied by inserting 

 an additional branch. A machine upon this plan will 

 effectually brush the ground for the distance of one half 

 of a common eight pace land, and can be increased in 

 weight so as to rake the ground with any degree of vio- 

 lence which may be judged necessary ; and it is con- 

 fidently expected will in a great measure sweep off the 

 young caterpillars after they commence their progress 

 down the leaf; and in cold mornings when the fly will 

 be in a torpid state, a great number will be crushed in 

 pieces by the operation of the machine. The whole of 

 the expense will not exceed one dollar, and it is so sim- 

 ple in the plan, that any common farmer who can handle 

 a saw, an auger and a drawing-knife, can construct one 

 for himself. 



Upon a trial of the machine, it is found that the wheels 

 are too small, as they do not prevent the axle-tree from 

 bearing upon the ground, in crossing over uneven parts 

 of the field. I therefore recommend a wheel of two and 

 one half or three feet in diameter, after the form of a 

 drill-wheeL With such a machine, a field of twenty 



