320 PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS. 



prefer the former to the latter. In many cases where 

 the mowing machine has been worked by oxen they did 

 as well as horses, while they did not apparently suffer 

 from the exertion, even in the hot weather of July. 

 This fact will make it possible for many to use this 

 implement who could not otherwise do so, and its 

 advantages will thus be brought within the reach of 

 thousands who cannot afford to use horses. 



There are some general suggestions for beginners in 

 the use of the mowing machine, most of which are 

 alluded to in the letters of practical farmers already 

 quoted, but which may be briefly summed up as fol- 

 lows : 



1st. See that the knives are sharp, and in good 

 order. No man would think of beginning his day's 

 work of mowing without having first ground his scythe. 

 A dull scythe requires too great an expenditure of 

 physical force, and the mower works to great disadvan- 

 tage. The same is true of the machine. The labor for 

 the team is quite sufficient, even under the most favor- 

 able circumstances, without increasing it by neglect in 

 this particular. 



2d. See that every nut and bolt is perfectly tight ; 

 the wear of the machine will be less, and it will be less 

 likely to get out of order. 



3d. Keep all the bearings well oiled with pure 

 sperm oil ; some of them will need an application of it 

 every ten or fifteen minutes. 



4th. Take the field lengthwise, and keep straight 

 forward, at a regular, steady pace, without too great 

 haste, which would fret and worry the team. An acre 

 per hour is fast enough ordinarily, and the team 

 will do that without over-urging, if the driver be 

 skilful. 



Other things, of minor importance, will suggest them- 



