Implements of Husbandry. 121 



be attended with some additional expense, but then it pos- 

 sesses the following advantages : In \\\z first place, scarcely 

 an ear of wheat is lost in the operation of thrashing ; 2. The 

 straw is more valuable for thatching; indeed, nothing can 

 exceed the beauty of the roofs thatched with straw thus pre- 

 pared, and they are more durable, furnishing no attraction 

 to rats and mice ; and, 3. The straw lasts much longer as 

 litter, an important object where that article is expensive. 



2. A machine has been invented for dressing, or taking 

 off the awns or spikes of barley, which is recommended as 

 a great improvement by those who have used it. Sometimes 

 it is attached to thrashing-mills ; and though that must occa- 

 sion some additional stress to the power by which it is moved, 

 it is but trifling ( I94 ). In well-constructed thrashing-mills, 

 however, this operation is frequently done by the mill itself. 



3. Many imperfect modes were used, in former times, for 

 separating the grain from the chaff, as by dropping it from 

 a sieve or basket, between the two doors of a barn exposed 

 to the wind; by throwing or casting it with shovels; 

 and by the common method of the fan and riddles, to which 

 was sometimes added reeing, and hand-dressing. In mo- 

 dern times, machines have been constructed, to blow, riddle, 

 and skreen at one operation. By the use of these imple- 

 ments, the husbandman can clean his corn at any time when 

 necessary ( I95 ). Fanners, or dressing machines, have been 

 greatly improved since their first introduction, and are now 

 to be seen, not only in every corn-mill, but almost in every 

 barn, where the farm is more employed in tillage than graz- 

 ing. When annexed to thrashing-mills, and properly fitted 

 up internally, with suitable riddles, and harps, or skreens, 

 corn is often rendered fit for the market, as it comes from 

 the machine ( l96 ). 



6. Implements for sowing grass-seeds, and for making and 

 harvesting Hay. 



A machine for sowing grass-seeds broad-cast, is now in 

 common use upon large farms in Norfolk, and is much ap- 

 proved. It may be used in windy weather when grass- 

 seeds cannot be sown properly, in the common way ; and 

 it sows more expeditiously, and more correctly, than can 

 possibly be done by hand in any weather. It is drawn by 

 a horse, attended by one man to guide the machine, and 

 a boy to lead the horse, and sows from 25 to 30 acres a-day. 



