THE SELF-SHARPENER. 



343 



indicate a wonderful development in this direction. The 

 amount of capital invested in this class of implements in this 

 country exceeds five hundred millions of dollars. The differ- 

 ence in economy between working at a disadvantage with poor 

 tools and the use of the modern appliances to lighten labor and 

 to save time, is becoming clear to every farmer. 



V^^\S^\5.ra\ 



SELF-SHARPENING FODDER CUTTER. 



The societies have wisely encouraged improvements in agri- 

 cultural mechanics, both by offering inventors and manufac- 

 turers of farm implements the best of all opportunities to bring 

 their inventions to the knowledge of the people and by direct 

 awards of prizes. Their efforts have no doubt contributed 

 largely to stimulate tha inventive genius of the country. 



It may be doubted, however, whether the present too frequent 

 mode of awarding premiums on implements exhibited in compe- 

 tition at the fairs is not productive of more injury than good to 

 the public. How is it possible to decide the comparative merits 



