Implements of Husbandry. 1 27 



shape is that made of cast-iron ; and the kind of press most 

 esteemed is, that which is made of granite. Large hewn 

 stones lifted by a screw, are advantageously used for press- 

 ing cheese ( ai6 ). Cheese-presses in Scotland, are now con- 

 structed with levers and a double wheel, which stand in 

 the space that an elbow chair would occupy. And they are 

 so easily managed, that a boy or girl of fourteen years of age 

 can put them in operation, provided they can put in and 

 take out the cheese. Heavy stones raised by screws are now 

 given up. 



12. Miscellaneous Articles. 



A variety of small implements for the barn, for the stables, 

 and for the other offices, are necessary, but do not require 

 any particular enumeration. There are four machines, 

 however, of greater importance than the rest, and of them 

 some account may be given: 1. The straw-cutter; 2. The 

 turnip- slicer; 3. The bruising machine for beans, pease, or 

 oats ; and 4. The weighing engine. 



1. Machines for cutting straw or hay, are certainly of use 

 in preventing waste, and preparing coarse food, as straw, 

 for horses or cattle. These machines, till of late, were se- 

 parate, and the work was executed by manual labour ; but 

 the purposes of the cutter are more effectually accomplished, 

 when it is annexed to any machine, as a thrashing-mill dri- 

 ven by water, by wind, or by cattle. 



2. Machines have also been invented for slicing turnips or 

 potatoes, to be given to stock. In regard to the latter, how- 

 ever, steaming, boiling, or baking ( ai7 ), seems to be prefe- 

 rable. There is something injurious in the juices of the po- 

 tatoe in a raw state, which cooking eradicates, or great heat 

 neutralizes or dispels. How far the increased value of the 

 steamed food, will compensate for the expense, has not yet 

 been ascertained. 



3. Bruising beans, pease, or oats, for the feeding of horses, 

 is a practice much to be recommended ; it having been found 

 by experience, that by feeding horses with bruised grain, 

 seven bushels will go at least as far as eight of the same 

 quality given whole (* 18 ). This saving is at all times an ob- 

 ject of importance, but more especially in times of scarcity. 



4. A weighing machine is certainly, to farmers, an expen- 

 sive article ; but where it can be afforded, it is of much con- 

 sequence, more especially to those who fatten stock. In- 

 deed without it, no farmer can ascertain the progressive 



