176 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



April 



^2^^ 



CAEPEHTEE'S IMPEOVED PATEHT HOESE SAKE. 



This rake, invented by Charles P. Carpenter, of 

 St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and patented by him Aug. 

 26th, 1856, possesses certain merits, in respect of 

 which, it is claimed to be superior to any and every 

 other rake yet offered to the public. 

 , These merits are principally two. 1st, It is the 

 only rake that can be tended by the person who 

 rides on the rake, seated at his ease. On the front 

 of the bed-piece is a convenient seat for the raker, 

 who, by means of a lever, near at hand, releases the 

 hay that has been gathered, by a vtry slight motion 

 of the lever, and without changing his position. A 

 boy twelve or fifteen years old, can perform the la- 

 bor v/ith this rake, as well as a man. It is thus the 

 most convenient and labor-saving rake for the far- 

 mer that has ever been devised. 



2d. It is a double rake, equally well adapted to 

 smooth and rough ground. On smooth ground the 

 rake is used on wheels, the driver riding ; for rak- 

 ing on rough ground it is used without wheels, the 

 driver walking behind it, as with ordinary rakes, and 

 releasing the hay by means of the same lever as 

 before, which is inserted in another position in the 

 moveable head. In neither case is the driver re- 

 quired to use any more strength than to remove 

 the lever from a catch that confines it, and the rake 

 then frees itself from the hay. When used on 

 rough ground, the springs beneath the bed-piece 

 enable the driver to adajjt it with ease to the in- 

 equalities of the surface. By referring to the en- 

 graving and description above, it will be seen that 

 the simplicity of the rake is an indication of its 

 worth and usefulness — nothing can be more simple ; 

 and yet its adaptation to the wants of the farmer is 

 before any other rake ever presented to the wants 

 of the public. 



This rake has received the highest commenda- 

 tions from scientific and practical men. It was ex- 



hibited at the State Fairs of Vermont and New 

 York, in 1856, and received the warm approval of 

 the societies, and favorable mention of the press. 



There, that is what the proprietors of the patent 

 say of their rake. We have often seen and con- 

 versed with them, and believe them to be honor- 

 able men \ but cannot say, positively, that their 

 statements are correct, because we have had no 

 actual trial of it, and this must be the true test 

 of all farm -implements and machinery. We have, 

 however, given the rake a critical examination, and 

 are willing now, to say, that it appears to possess 

 some merits over any other rake we have used. 

 We certainly think favorably of it, and when we 

 have fairly tested it, holding "the ribbons" and the 

 lever ourself, shall be ready to speak of it again. 

 Those who Vk'ish may learn more about it by inquir- 

 ing of the manufacturers, JVourse, Mason fy Co.f 

 Quincy Hall, Boston. 



Berkshire County Agricultural Society. 

 — Officers for the ensuing year: — President, E. 

 Williams, Esq., of Richmond ; Vice Presidents' 

 Henry Dresser, of Stockbridge, C. K. Tracy, of 

 Hinsdale ; Secretary, E. H. Kellogg, Esq. ; Trea- 

 surer, Dr. S. Reed. 



Hillsborough Agricultural Society. — Our 

 friends had a capital time at their annual meeting 

 at Mil ford, on the eleventh of Februarj\ Vf e wish 

 we had room for a report of their discussion on 

 breeds of cattle. 



