164 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



attempt to lighten toil. He procured a horse and rode all the 

 way to Washington to obtain his letters patent. And it is a 

 matter for regret, that in the burning of the patent office by the 

 British, in 1814, all record and the model of the principle for 

 whicli he obtained a patent was lost. 



When about twelve years old, the writer invented and made 

 a working model of a mower, to the great amusement of the 

 family, representing the horse, head in the thills, driving a 

 machine with two scythes or cutters ahead, vibrating very rap- 

 idly the width of the mower. Fortunately, it never injured the 

 inventor or anybody else ; and now we have to stand in judg. 

 ment over five machines of different builders, all of which have 

 a row of fingers between, and through which vibrate cutters 

 precisely alike, the sections being made by one party for several 

 manufacturers of mowers, and all that makes them mow is the 

 rapid vibration of these cutters. Now, if all are adjusted and 

 all sharp, why should one be better than another ? Each exhib- 

 itor claims nine out of ten of all premiums awarded in this and 

 other countries ; therefore the decision comes not on different 

 principles, but on the mechanical arrangement to produce the 

 one result. Here again we find great similarity, all being driven 

 by multiplied gears and crank motion. 



Before leaving the subject of mowers, we will give a few prac- 

 tical suggestions, for farmers must be machinists in some degree, 

 and study the mechanical movements in machines, practise the 

 eye and ear to quickly observe imperfect running ; must have 

 judgment in keeping journals in order — that is, in line tight and 

 loose, oiled with the best of oil. Never put on whale or lard oil 

 unless of the best quality ; sperm is the best ; but there are 

 others prepared for the purpose which are good. Also be care- 

 ful to see that the fingers are in line. Sometimes the machinist 

 will adjust them by putting a " flunk " under, which may work 

 out. We have seen machines running with some of the fingers 

 more than a quarter of an inch out of line. 



There are so many good machines now, that it will be found 

 that their durability and good work will depend mostly on the 

 man who has charge of them. With intelligent care they will 

 run well a long time ; in the hands of ignorance they are soon 

 destroyed ; and this remark applies to all the valuable improve- 

 ments in farm implements. 



