MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 52'r 



prised, who have never made the experiment, at the amount of 

 reduction of which seed harrows, at least, are capable ; and 

 where land is clear, to see how effective very light small 

 toothed harrows, may be made." In an experiment made be- 

 tween a pair of wooden harrows, and a pair of iron ones, con- 

 structed alike, although the iron ones were twenty pounds the 

 lightest, yet they worked decidedly better and steadier than 

 those made of wood. It seems to be requisite to have the de- 

 sired weight in the most compact form ; the instrument per- 

 foims its work easier and better, while it is more conveniently 

 handled by the operator. 



The horse rake, in its various forms, has proved itself of 

 great service. One patented by a Mr. Delano, of Maine, has 

 been considerably used in this State, and is scarcely excelled 

 by any labor-saving machine in use on the farm. Its teeth act 

 independently, thus adapting itself to all surfaces, and the op- 

 erator rides as he rakes. The process of ra':ing is rapid, thus 

 enabling the haymaker to leave his spread grass to the benefit 

 of the sun, until a late hour in the afternoon, and frequently to 

 get it in on the same day in which it is cut. It is cheap, sim- 

 ple in construction, and durable. 



A horse-mowing machine, and a machine for spreading 

 swarths, are implements much wanted, and are inviting subjects 

 for the inventive genius of some of our citizens. 



There are questions of great importance to be settled, with 

 regard to the smaller implements. . It may be asked, what 

 weight and breadth are the most advantageous for the hoe ? 

 Undoubtedly they should be such that the person using it, 

 could make the greatest number of effective strokes in a given 

 time with the least fatigue. Hoeing is a laborious work, for 

 the reason that the body is held in a bent position, which re- 

 quires a constant, sustained effort, of the muscles of the abdo- 

 men and back, to hold up the great weight of the trunk, 

 shoulders and head. The hoe should have the least weight 

 consistent with the strength and size required for good work, 

 and in order to be as light as is convenient, should have the 

 least width that is sufficient for economical use. " The laborer, 

 who makes, with a common hoe, two thousand strokes an hour, 



