1858.] SENATE— No. 4. 173 



ble to speak of each, in detail, to specify all the new implements, or 

 even those which have been remodelled in some important respect. 



The manufacturers of agricultural implements are every year 

 exhibiting a great increase of skill in the construction and finish of 

 their work, and of ingenuity and judgment in the adaptation of their 

 articles to the various purposes for which they are designed. 



The surgeon has an instrument designed for, and adapted to, every 

 operation upon the human body, from the extraction of a cataract to 

 the amputation of a limb. 



The mechanic has a tool for the most delicate and intricate opera- 

 tion he has to perform, and success in these operations depends, 

 essentially, upon the adaptation and perfection of the instruments. 



So in the operations of horticulture and fiirm husbandry, the ease, 

 the certainty, and the success of their results depend, in no small 

 degree, upon the perfection of the instruments employed. This fact 

 is becoming, every year, more fully appreciated by the cultivators of 

 the soil. They are constantly calling for implements better suited to 

 their varied operations, and are constantly suggesting improvements 

 in those already made. These suggestions are received by the manu- 

 facturers in a spirit which indicates not only a regard to their own 

 interest, but also to the convenience and advantage of the public. 

 The amount of intellect directed to the invention and improvement 

 of agricultural implements and machinery, is truly surprising. The 

 combination of mechanical powers according to scientific laws, is 

 working out the most complicated results with mathematical accuracy. 

 The grain separator and cleaner, which, driven by an improved horse- 

 power, threshes the grain from the straw, winnows and cleans it, and 

 separates it from small seeds and imperfect grains, and deposits it in 

 the bag, is an illustration of the combination of various processes in 

 the action of one machine. 



The union of strength with lightness, is an idea which has ever 

 been prominent among American manui'acturers. In hand imple- 

 ments and portable machines, this is the chief reason of the superi- 

 ority which they have attained over European manufacturers. It is 

 attained by the use of the best materials, tempered to the point 

 which affords the greatest degree of strength, and by giving to 

 every part that form which presents the least possible resistance and 

 friction. This idea is well illustrated in several ploughs in common 

 use, which are so constructed that they insinuate themselves into the 

 earth, and raise it from its bed, while at the same time the furrow is 

 being turned, and present at no one point a dead resistance to the soil. 

 It is possible that the idea of lightness in several patterns of the 

 plough, has been carried quite as far as is desirable. English and 



