166 



Wheat Cut tins: Machine. 



Vol. U 



ing, necessarily exposes the trunk of the tree 

 more to the action of severe frosts, which not 

 unfrequently, in extreme cold weather, proves 

 fatal." If the trunk is endangered by this 

 cause, how do the younger trees, and the ten- 

 der branches escape? I would thank I. C. 

 for authenticated facts to show that white- 

 washed trees are more frequently destroyed 

 in this way than others. I have not observed 

 it to be so. 



The bark on the trunk of fruit trees some- 

 times splits during intense frost. But, whe- 

 ther this is caused by the expansion of the 

 wood, or the contraction of the bark, 1 con- 

 ceive it more likely to happen where the 

 bark is hard and unyielding, than where it is 

 soft and pliable. 



For these and other reasons, I cannot agree 

 with I. C. that white-washing fruit trees "is 

 not only labor lost, but, in reality, has a very 

 deleterious effect on the vitality, growth, and 

 well-being of the tree to which it is applied." 



Young trees (,fruit trees and others) which 

 grow rapidly, and make much wood late in 

 the season, are subject io blister on the south 

 side, just above the ground, tohen the frost 

 is severe, and the gi'ound covered with snoio. 

 This was remarkably the case during the 

 memorable snow and frost of 1831. In all 

 the instances which I have observed, it oc- 

 curred on the side of the twelve to two o'clock 

 fun, and below the surface of the snow. It 

 iTjay, perhaps, be explained by considering 

 that the sun melts the snow around the tree, 

 leaving a vacant space where the combined 

 energy of the direct and reflected heat of the 

 sun's rays produces a considerable degree of 

 warmth at noon-day, and leaves it fully ex- 

 posed to the frost at night. The use of lime, 

 by rendering the tree more thrifty, and the 

 bark thin, may, perhaps, increase the liability 

 to this accident. 



New Garden, 12ih mo,, 18th, L^37. 



Philadelphia, Dec. 20lh, 1837. 

 To the Editor of the Farmers' Cabinet. 



Dear Sir — By giving publicity to the fol- 

 lowing communications from Mr. Stone- 

 braker. Col. Frisby Tilghman and others, 

 which were first published in the Hagers- 

 town Torch Light, describing the operations 

 of my Reaping Machine, you will confer a 

 favor on me, and convey, it is hoped, some 

 useful information to the Farmers of Penn- 

 sylvania. As no other machine for reaping 

 grain with horse power has ever been more 

 perfect in its operations, it is presumed that 

 a general interest will be felt by farmers, 

 and others to become acquainted with its 

 construction ; for this purpose an engraving 

 is now in course of preparation, which Vv'ith 

 a description of the machine will be in readi- 

 ness for your next number. 



The public are respectfully informed that 



machines for the next harvest will be manu- 

 factured under my superintendance in Easton> 

 Talbot county, Maryland, where all orders 

 will be attended to until further notice. 



Obed Hussey. 



IVIieat CHttinBg MacIiiMC. 



Mr. Bell : — Dear Sir: will you please give 

 this a place in your paper, for the benefit of 

 wheat growers. As the subject is of public in- 

 terest it is hoped that other papers will circulate 

 it through the grain growing districts of the 

 country. 



I procured a Reaping Machine this summer 

 of Mr. Hussey, the inventor, which I have used 

 through my wheat harvest. It was in constant 

 use every day, and performed its work to my 

 satisfaction, and far belter than I had any ex- 

 pectation of when I first engaged it of Mr. Hus- 

 sey. When the ground is clear of rocks, loose 

 stone--, stumps, ike. and the grain stands well, 

 it cuts it perfectly clear, taking every head, and 

 if well managed scatters none; but leaves it in 

 neat heaps ready for binding. When the grain 

 is flat down the machine will of course pass 

 over it ; but if it be leaning, or tangled only, it 

 is cut nearly as well as if standing, excepting 

 when it leans from the machine, and then if the 

 horses are put in a trot it will be very well cut. 

 But in cutting such grain much depends on the 

 expertness of the hand, who pushes ofl' the 

 grain, in making clean work, and good sheaves. 

 I found the machine capable of going through 

 any thing growing on my wheat land, such as 

 weeds and grass, no matter how thick. 



After my harvest was over, I cut my seed 

 timothy, with the same neatness, and ease that 

 I did iny grain. As respects the durability of 

 the machine, I can say this much for my ma- 

 chine, that not the least thing has given out 

 yet; it appears as strong as a cart, and but little 

 liable to get out of order, if well used. I was 

 advised by Mr. Hussey of the necessity of keep- 

 ing some of th« parts well greased ; this I have 

 punctually attended to, and no perceptible wear 

 yet appears, beyond the ordinary wear of any 

 other machinery. 



It is immaterial to the machine whether the 

 speed be a walk, or trot; although a walk will 

 make the most perfect work. My speed was 

 a common walk, but a trot is sometimes neces- 

 sary to counteract the effect of a strong wind 

 when blowing from behind, in order to incline 

 the grain backwards, on to the jjlatform, to 

 make good bundles. A quick walk is required 

 to make good work in very short and scattering 

 grain. The machine performs well, up or 

 down hill, provided, the surface be not too bro- 

 ken. By its compactness and ease of manage- 

 ment, rocks and stumps, too high to be cut over, 

 can be easily avoided. Although a rough sur- 

 face is very objectionable, yet I have cut over 

 very rocky ground with no materia! difficulty. 

 I can say one thing which to some may appear 

 incredible, but it is not the less true ; the cutters 



