1846. 



GENESEE FARMER. 



211 



Cook's Patent Reaping Machine. 



The above engraving represents a[*Reaping 

 Machine recently invented and patented by TVIr. 

 Andrew J. Cook, of Delplii, Ind. We know 

 nothing of the Machine, except from a hand- 

 bill sent us by Mr. Cook, and can therefore ex- 

 press no opinion as to its merits. 



In his advertisement Mr. C. says — '• The ma- 

 chine is capable (with the assistance of a boy 

 and two horses,) to perform the labor of eight 

 or ten good cradlers, and in a style too, not 

 to be excelled by the best of reapers. It not 

 only cuts the grain enough cleaner than the 

 cradler to pay the expense of harvesting, but it 

 leaves it in a much belter condition for binding 

 than though it were raked after the cradle. It 

 is susceptible of being altered to cut the stubble 

 of various heights, to suit the height of the 

 grain. Where it is smooth, it can cut within 

 four inches of the ground, if required. For 

 grain that is very heavy or very tall, the ma- 

 chine may be raised to cut the stubble as high as 

 fifteen inches from the ground. It being thus 

 arranged, it is capable of harvesting Wheat, Rye, 

 Oats, Barley. Buck-Wheat, Flax, Hemp, and 

 other small grain, with much greater facility 

 than the usual way of harvesting." 



Inquiries. 



Editor Gen. Farmer : — I wish to inquire 

 relative to the best method of applying unleached 

 ashes to wheat. If sown, the best time and quan- 

 tity per acre 1 — oi-, if applied to the land before 

 seeding ? Also, how much to the acre, and time 

 of application 1 



Also should like to know the prices of farming 

 implements that are advertised or noticed ; or 

 rather, when you notice or advertise, it would 

 be highly gratifying to us of the west to have the 

 price of such implements affixed. I do not know 

 but that you affix the cost to all that you are al- 

 lowed — if so, I beg pardon for the suggestion. — 

 If in your power I should like to know the cost 

 of the best seed sower. 



I have been a subscriber to your very valua- 

 ble paper but a short time, (with a club from 

 Spring Arbor,) and think the worth of each num- 

 ber equal to the cost of a volume. 



The wheat crop in this section has been ma- 

 terially injured by the frost — one quarter at least. 

 The harvest commenced the first of July, being 

 from ten to fifteen days earlier than usual. 



I notice communications in the Farmer rela- 

 tive to besmearing sheep with lard, oil, &c. &c. 

 T should like to know for what purpose it is done. 



P. S. I have this season found in the straw 

 of wheat a small yellow worm — most generally 

 in tlie first joint — but sometimes in the second. 

 The berry did not appear to be aflfected by it. — 

 Can you give any information respecting it ? 

 Yours, &c., Isaac Cushman. 



Concord, Mich., Aug. 3, 1846. 



Remarks. — We shall give an article on the 

 subject of using and applying unleached ashes, in 

 our next or a future number, which will fully 

 answer your inquiries. The price of the best 

 seed sower, in this section, (Seymour's,) is $4.5. 

 It is for sale in this city, as will be seen by ref- 

 erence to our advertising pages. We generally 

 give the prices of all agricultural implements 

 that we notice or advertise, if permitted. Rela- 

 tive to smearing sheep, see articles by ' Observer' 

 and 'Reed Burritt,' in this and August numbers. 



Mildew. 



This substance which 

 attacks the leaves of the 

 hop, grapevine, pea wheat, 

 grass, fruit trees, and oth- 

 er vegetables, is now re- 

 garded as a distinct race 

 of parasitic plants. One 

 of the commonest forms 

 of the white mildew that 

 covers leaves is that of 

 the Aspergillus, (Fig. 1:) 

 a, is the plant enlarged. 

 The mildew of roots, 

 which destroys potatoes, 

 &c., is usually the Rhiz- 

 octonia, (Fig. 2.) 



Remedies. — Charcoal, 

 ashes, salt, and lime, have all been used success- 

 fully as preventives on land much subjected to 

 this calamity. They are sown broadcast. 



