26 



Society, 1839, it was stated, "A trot is sometimes necessary where the 

 grain is much lodged, or a strong wind drives in the direction of the 

 machine." 



Hussey, writing from Baltimore on November 15, 1839, states: 



" With the speed of an ordinary brisk walk the cutting is sure. 

 . . So sure is the cutting at all times that the sharp edge is by no- 

 means necessary, for no sharpening is required from beginning to end 

 of harvest, and no difference in the excellency of its work can be dis- 

 covered between sharp and dull cutters. . . . The machine will 

 also do excellent work in almost any kind of grain in a quick trot, but 

 such a speed should be avoided except when absolutely necessary." 



In 1840 Hussey sent several reaping machines to parties near 

 Richmond, but they did not give satisfaction, and Edward Ruffin, the 

 famous agriculturist of Virginia, editor of the Farmers' Register, de- 

 clined to recommend the machine, because " he had not seen a trial 

 of it, and those who have tried it differ as to its merits and economy.* 



This statement of Mr. Ruffin called forth a letter from Queen 

 Anne County, Maryland, under date of February 18, 1841, and one 

 from Mr. Hussey himself, under date of April 4. The one from Queen 

 Anne County declares that: 



" I have not as yet, from my own experience, been able to decide 

 on the value of the reaper. ... It broke early in the harvest. . . . 

 The knives could not be set to cut higher than nine inches. It cut 

 more straw than was useful, and also grass among the wheat, this im- 

 posed unnecessary labor on the horses and a heavy strain on the ma- 

 chine." 



Hussey, discussing the cause of the failure in Virginia, states, in his 

 letter to the Farmers' Register: 



" It is admitted that it may not do everything that is expected of 

 it, when proper management is not used; for instance, when the wheat 

 is rank and mixed with grass, the cutter should be raised to the high- 

 est point." 



Hussey then made a proposition to Ruffin to send two machines 

 to Virginia, and this proposition was accepted, and the machines were 

 sent to the estates of Wm. B. Harrison, Esq., Upper Brandon, and R. 

 B. Bolden, Sandy Point, James River, both of whom made reports to 

 the Farmers' Register. Harrison declined to recommend the machine 

 as time saving, and went on to say, among other things : 



" The reaper cannot be started as long as there is any dew on the 



