244 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Mr. Merrill's return for the present season, shows a cutting 

 of more than one hundred acres, on an average of time of fifty- 

 two minutes to the acre, and grass as heavy as Mr. Ware's. 

 Committee arc entirely satisfied that either of these gentlemen 

 will cut an acre an hour, containing two tons or more, for five 

 hours together, where the land is even. 



The committee regretted that they were not called on to wit- 

 ness the cutting of grass, by other well reputed machines, par- 

 ticularly the Heath mower, for which a bounty of one thousand 

 dollars was awarded the last year. They are glad to learn that 

 the mistakes made by mechanics in reconstructing these ma- 

 chines, with supposed improvements, are not likely essentially 

 to mar their usefulness ; and that the probability is, the Heath 

 machine, the coming season, will be before the public in fair 

 competition with the best implements of the kind in use in 

 this vicinity. It is thought by some of your committee who 

 have seen it operate, to possess some advantages over any other 

 implement they have seen. 



The committee, anxious to avail themselves of the best 

 information to be had on the use of mowing machines, attended 

 the grand exhibition of these implements, under the supervision 

 of the National Agricultural Society, at Syracuse, N. Y. But 

 they returned with no better information than could be obtained 

 at home. In view of all they have seen and learned in relation 

 to the use of mowing machines, — in view of the purpose of tlie 

 generous donor in establishing this bounty of two hundred dol- 

 lars, — all of which has heretofore been awarded, excepting the 

 sum of fifty dollars, — and in view of the well conducted and 

 persevering efforts of Messrs. Merrill and Ware the present 

 season, — they recommend that this sum be awarded, in equal 

 parts, to these gentlemen. 



Letter of Richard S. Rogers to the Committee. 



'' Oak Hill, South Danvers, Nov. 14, 1857. 

 " In reply to inquiries respecting ' the comparative worth of 

 Ketchum's, Manny's, and Allen's mowing machines,' I can only 

 speak, from my own personal observation, of the first and last 

 implements, never having seen Manny's used under circum- 

 stances that would enable me to form a correct estimate of its 



