f- ( , IMPLEMENTS, &c. OF THE FARM. 



The Common Horse Rake is much used in many parts of the 

 country it is so simple in its construction, that we believe 

 with the aid of the following cuts or illustrations, and the full 

 description which is given, will enable any common carpenter 

 to construct either the common or revolving rake. 

 THE COMMON HORSE RAKE. 



This is made of a piece of strong scantling, three inches square and ten feet 

 long, into which about fifteen teeth are inserted horizontally, and made of 

 strong white ash or other tough wood. The teeth should be about 22 inches 

 long, and one inch by one and three quarters at the place of insertion, and 

 tapering on the under side, so as to give them a slight turn upwards at the 

 point, to prevent their running into the ground while using. The draught 

 ropes are attached to the end of two projecting pieces of wood parallel to the 

 teeth, at each end of the rake. These projecting pieces should be about one- 

 third of the length of the teeth. Those unskilled in the use of the rake, some- 

 times attach the ropes at once to the ends of the head; in this way it becomes 

 almost entirely unmanageable. The forward ends of the draught ropes are 

 to be fastened to the horse's collar, leaving space enough between the horse 

 and rake for the collecting hay. Handles, like those represented in the figure, 

 are to be inserted in the head near the middle, for guiding the teeth and lift- 

 ing the rake from the ground when necessary. 



In using this rake, instead of the teeth moving onward upon their points as 

 in the common hand rake, they run along flat upon the ground, passing under 

 and collecting the hay; when full, the handles are thrown forward, the rake 

 emptied, and lifted over the winrow for another load. The rake thus passes 

 backwards and forwards across the field, always emptying opposite the last 

 heap, and thus forming regular winrows at right angles with the path of the 

 rake. A few hours practice will enable any one to use this rake without diffi- 

 culty, the only skill required consistingin keeping the points of the teeth just 

 so low as to pass under all the hay and yet not run into the grotind. When 

 small obstructions occur, the handles are depressed, thus causing the teeth to 

 rise, and the rake passes freely over. Large obstructions, as stumps and stone 

 heaps, require the rake to be 1'ifted from the ground. 



The chief recommendation of this kind, is its cheapness and simplicity. A 

 good one need cost no more than two dollars. It may also be used on rougher 

 ground than the revolving rake, as it is more easily lifted over obstructions. 

 Where the ground is very uneven the teeth should be much shorter. When 

 one becomes well accustomed to the use of it, work may be done nearly as fast 

 with this, as with a revolving rake, though much more laborious. Twelve 

 acres of hay, part of it yielding nearly three tons to the acre, on a meadow of 

 the writer, were raked into winrows, by means of one of these rakes, in about 



r kourx, working time. It possesses another advantage over the revolving 

 rake it may be used for scraping the winrows into heaps for drawing, and if 



