Implements of Husbandry. 1 1 9 



the modes adopted by some of the ancients of separating 

 the grain, as either burning the straw, or treading the corn 

 with the feet of horses or oxen; nor could any species of la- 

 bour be more fatiguing, than thrashing, by so defective an 

 instrument as the flail. Thence many attempts have been 

 made, at various times, for constructing machines, competent 

 to the task of thrashing in a superior style. It is to the in- 

 genuity of a Scotch mechanic, (Andrew Meikle), that we are 

 indebted for the perfection, if not the sole invention of a ma- 

 chine adequate to that purpose. To him, at any rate, must 

 be attributed the merit, of suggesting the drum, with fix- 

 ed beaters, by which the corn and straw are separated in 

 the most satisfactory manner. In other attempts to con- 

 struct this implement, the plan of the flax-mill had been 

 adopted ( I87 ). 



Thrashing-mills are driven by various powers, as by 

 horses; oxen( 188 ); wind alone; wind, or cattle when 

 the wind fails ; water alone, or by cattle when the water is 

 deficient; and steam. Portable machines are not uncom- 

 mon in various parts of England ; and with them, from 16 

 to 24 quarters of wheat, or 33 quarters of rye, have been 

 thrashed in a day ( l89 ). Some machines are driven by ma- 

 nual labour, and they may be adequate to thrash the crops 

 grown on small farms, by introducing only the head of the 

 grain into the machine ( I9 ) ; but even in that case, a mode- 

 rate-sized horse, or ox, or water, or wind, would be a better 

 power to apply. On the whole, it is most advisable, to have 

 the mills of a substantial construction. The saving a little 

 money, and getting a bad machine, is wretched economy. 

 A six-horse power is little enough for all the necessary ope- 

 rations, on a farm where wheat is cultivated ; though, by 

 shortening the drum, fewer horses may be used. 



The specific advantages resulting from this invention, may 

 be thus briefly stated : 1. From the careless and defective 

 manner in which grain is too often thrashed by the flail, it is 

 calculated, that from one-tenth to one-twentieth part more 

 corn is gained from the same quantity of straw, than by the 

 old method. 2. The work is done much more expeditiously. 

 3. Pilfering is in a great measure avoided. 4. The grain is 

 less subject to injury. 5. Seed corn can be procured without 

 difficulty from the new crops, for those to be sown. 6. The 

 market may be supplied with grain more quickly in times of 

 scarcity ( 191 ). 7. The straw, softened by the mill, is more 

 useful for feeding cattle. 8. If a stack of corn be heated, it 

 may be thrashed in a day, and the grain, if kiln-dried, will 



