296 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Improvements have not been confined to the mowing, spread- 

 ing and raking of hay. They have extended to the means of 

 loading and unloading, and have effected an immense saving 

 of physical strength and of time. Of the patents for loading 

 hay I have not had an opportunity of seeing those which have 

 met with the greatest success, and am not able to speak from 

 observation. 



Of the horse pitchforks for unloading and mowing away hay, 

 several have been introduced into this State, and have been 

 worked with more or less satisfaction. They have also been 

 exhibited at the fairs, where they have been examined by large 

 numbers of observing, practical farmers. One of the cheapest, 

 most compact and simplest contrivances that I have seen is 

 Walker's patent. 



This is a novelty in the way of invention. 

 Walker was the inventor of the original har- 

 poon fork which he introduced and worked 

 with success ; but he became satisfied that he 

 could improve upon it, and now has brought 

 out what is known as Walker's Improved Horse 

 Pitchfork, as shown in the annexed cuts. 



This fork is made entirely of iron, so that it is 

 durable and light, the weight not exceeding ten 

 ^ pounds. Its simplicity of construction would 

 seem to avoid the liability to get out of order. 

 It has no tines to catch and no braces to break, 

 while it is easily operated. Its strength and 

 grappling power are sufficient to take up as 

 much hay as the horse can raise over the beams. It may be 

 worked rapidly. When thrust into the hay it is a straight, 

 spear-like implement, till, on pulling a spring or bolt in the 

 handle, a prong or hook is thrust out to grapple the hay, and 

 thus lift large quantities from the load. This fork is manufac- 

 tured by Messrs. Wheeler, Melick & Co., of Albany, N. Y. 



A new invention has been applied to the hand-fork, by which 

 the tines, in case of breakage, are easily removed and replaced 

 by others. It is known as the Montgomery fork, manufactured 

 by the Montgomery Fork Company, at 254 Pearl Street, New 

 York City. The mode of securing the tines will be readily 

 seen by the annexed cut. A ferrule is held by a screw clasping 



