158 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



grass. Ho remembers that tlic first cost of the mowhioi; 

 machine is largo ; that it is complicated and liable to get out 

 of order ; that it may occasion diminished or irregular employ- 

 ment of men hired for the season or the year ; that there are 

 mornings and odd times "when they might do some mowing to 

 advantage. He says his farm is small,, the land uneven ; that 

 it has rocks and orchards, and will scarcely pay for the use of 

 the machine. It is right to take these things into considera- 

 tion. But it should not be forgotten that one machine would 

 answer for a dozen farmers, and that three or four hours' use 

 of it would give the farmer employment for two days in making 

 his hay. 



The objects of improved machinery on a farm are two : 

 First, to diminish the cost of the production of crops ; second, 

 economy of time, particularly when the weather is fine, the 

 crop heavy, and there is danger of injury if its removal be 

 delayed. Manual labor is necessarily limited, especially in this 

 country, which by its extent and fertility invites laborers to dis- 

 perse over wide territories. There is no permanent class of 

 laborers ; the laborer of this year may soon be the employer. 

 Hence, labor commands good pay, and hence the necessity of 

 machinery to fill the place of labor dearly purchased. 



Farmers, both from their isolated positions, and the conse- 

 quent absence of a common opinion, are perhaps less apt than 

 others to see the necessity of making changes in their tools or 

 modes of operation. Accustomed to use a jmrticular sot of 

 implements, and not having frequent opportunities of compari- 

 son, they either become familiar with their imperfections or do 

 not see them. Hence the difficulty of introducing real improve- 

 ments. But the inventive genius of our mechanics, and the 

 absolute necessity of machinery in large operations are com- 

 pelling farmers to look to their interests, convincing them that 

 they can prosper by farming only when they place it on the 

 level of the most advanced arts. 



There is room for improvement in mowing machines, and it 

 is easy to see that improvements will be made with a view to 

 diminish weight, oi- to reduce friction, or to prevent derange- 

 ment, or to bring the implement within the reach of men of 

 limited means. Science has not exhausted its resources, or 

 skill its power of applying primary principles to the use and 



