I4O FARM MACHINERY 



of almost marvelous development. Though Cyrus B. McCor- 

 mick was granted his first patent June 21, 1834, it is claimed that 

 his machine was actually built and used before Hussey's, whose 

 machine had the priority in the date of patents. 



Hussey's first machine was indeed a very crude affair. It con- 

 sisted of a frame carrying the gearing, with a wheel at each 

 side and a platform at the rear. The cutter was attached to a 

 pitman, which received its motion from a crank geared to the 



FIG. 107 HUSSEY'S REAPING MACHINE (AMERICA, 1833) 



main axle. The cutter worked in a series of fingers or guards, 

 and perhaps approached the modern device much closer than any 

 reaper had up to this time. 



McCormick's machine was provided with a reel and an outside 

 divider. The knife had an edge like a sickle and worked through 



