THE MOWING MACHINE. 209 



former, a good mower will go over an acre a day. With 

 the latter, 011 smooth land, two horses and one man will 

 mow at the rate of an acre an hour, or from ten to twelve 

 acres a day, without over-exertion. 



Fig. 36. 



732. Besides mowing so much faster, the machine also 

 spreads the grass evenly, saving the labor of spreading 

 by hand. It also enables the farmer to cut all his grass 

 nearer the proper time, and he is not obliged to let a part 

 of it stand till it is too ripe. 



733. After being cut, the grass should be frequently 

 spread and turned, so as to dry as rapidly and as 

 uniformly as possible. This may be done by hand with a 

 common fork, or by a machine called a hay-tedder, a 

 light revolving cylinder set with tines and drawn by one 

 horse, by means of which the grass may be constantly 

 stirred and kept in motion, and much time and labor 

 may be saved. 



734. When grass is partially or wholly cured, it may 

 be raked by hand, or by a horse-rake, (Fig 37.) Raking 



