M^lRSn's HARVESTER. 163 



BINDERS. 



Several machines for binding grain have been invented, 

 possessing considerable merit, but so far they do not ap- 

 pear to be adapted to general introduction. 



Marsh'' s Harvester, much used at the West, is so con- 

 structed, that two men may readily bind as fast as the 

 harvester does its work. The binders stand on a small 

 __ ^'S- if'i- _ _^ platform, furnished 

 r^^ _~ -~: ~^~ ~^ ^ ~ ~"=^ with a guard or rail, 



and the grain, as fast 

 as it is cut, is carried 

 up by an endless 

 apron to a platform, 

 where each man alter- 

 nately makes his 

 band, and receives 

 and binds his sheaf. 

 As they expend no 

 The Marsh Harvester. time in Stooping, or 



in passing from gavel to gavel, they are enabled to work 

 ^vith ease and rapidity. The weight is only that of one 

 man more than on a h arid-raker. 



JECeaders are reaping-machines employed for cutting the 

 heads of wheat with a small portion of the straw, leaving 

 most of the straw standing. They are usually driven by 

 four horses, and arc thrust forward ahead of tlie team. A 

 two-horse wagon, in addition, is driven along side, to re- 

 ceive from an endless apron the heads, as they are cut by 

 the reaper. They are onTy used on the extensive fields of 

 the West, and a diiference of opinion prevails as to their 

 general value. 



DURABILITY AND SELECTION. 



Mowing and reaping-machines, being complex, or made 

 up of many parts, would soon be broken and destroyed, 



