198 



BRITISH HUSBANDRY. 



[Ch. XIV, 



The origin of the Thrashing Machine is clue to Scotland, where, nearly 

 a century ago, the first attempt vvas made to construct one driven by a 

 water-wheel, which put in motion a number of flails of a similar kind with 

 those used in thrashing by hand ; it fell, however, into disuse, and it was 

 not until about fifty years since that the invention was brought to nearly its 

 present state of perfection by an ingenious mechanic, named Andrew 

 Meikle. Some few improvements have been since introduced by other 

 artisans, to simplify the labour, as well as to augment the quantity of work; 

 and the unthrashed corn is now made to pass between two revolving rollers, 

 while it is acted upon by a set of scutchers, or beaters, placed lengthwise 

 upon a large cylinder, or drum, which moves with great velocity upon a 

 horizontal axle. The power required to thrash the grain out of the straw 

 is, indeed, so great, that the drum is required to revolve with the speed of 

 two thousand five hundred feet in a minute ; which necessarily demands the 

 impetus of such considerable force, that the machinery must be worked by 

 horses, by water, or by steam. It must, therefore, be solidly executed with 

 the best materials, or it will constantly require repair, and this occasions 

 the necessity of erecting fixed machinery, the expense of which is so great 

 as to prevent its employment on any other than large farms — for the cost 

 of a horse-mill varies from 100/. to 150/. ; and this, if the power used be 

 either steam or water, will be increased by the cost of the engine in the 

 one case, and the erection of the dam and sluices in the other. 



Many Hand-machines have been invented, yet the labour required to 

 move them is so great that the men employed in driving them must be re- 

 lieved at intervals ; therefore they possess no advantage in point of economy 

 over the flail, and are consequently but little used. We liave, indeed, lately 

 seen the drawing — as at foot — of a Portable Thrashing Machine, made 

 by Messieurs Ransome, of Ipswich, which is coming much into use, and can 

 be efliciently worked by three or four horses. The cost is only from fifty 

 to sixty guineas; and, as it admits of removal in a common cart, it can 

 be used by difterent farmers at a moderate charge. 



F'tg.l shows the implement when packed fur removal; and /^. 2 when taken out 

 for work, The thrashing part D li F (called the " baru-work ") stands within the barn. 



