23-4 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE, 



weighing about one thousand nine hundred pounds. While be- 

 ing operated it frequently eame in contact with fast stones and 

 stumps of trees, and proved itself equal to the encounter, re- 

 ceiving no injury -whatever. The points or guards have a won- 

 derful effect in protecting the cotters from injury."' 



General Sutton also operated one of Ketehum's mowers on 

 his farm to his entire satisfaction. He used a pair of active. 

 seven-foot cattle, by the aid of which he was able to cut an 

 acre of heavy grass in one hour, and to continue to work so for 

 four or five successive hours, and this. too. on uneven land not 

 well adapted to this kind of operation. 



The committee took pains to ascertain the operation of this 

 imp".'. d the Pickman farm in Salem, on Porter's farm in 



Bradford, and on Barker's farm in Andover : and generally, 

 wherever it was tried, and wherever those who undertook to 

 manage it knew how to use it. they found it well spoken of. 

 Most of the imperfections with which it was charged were to be 

 attributed to the want of artistic skill in those who used it, 

 bringing to mind the folly of employing an ordinary blacksmith 

 to repair a delicate watch. 



With experience in the use of this implement, the committee 

 were prepared to express an opinion of it as a highly valuable 

 implement, which, when perfected as it admits of being, is wor- 

 thy the attention of our farmers. 



The committee found a frequent objection to the mower that 

 it required too much power to operate it. and thus fatigued the 

 animals. This was true only when the knives were not as sharp 

 as they should be. or when some part of the machinery was 

 sprung from its proper position, which might well happen when 

 struck against a fast rock, stump, or tree, as before mentioned, 

 even without being observed at the time. 



On the day of the exhibition the committee were taken quite 

 aback in the opinion they had formed of mowers by the presen- 

 tation of an improved implement by Mr. Russell, of Boston, 

 moved also by horse power, but cutting on a different principle. 

 The committee witnessed the use of this implement, and were 

 highly pleased with it. They were informed that the inventor 

 intended to secure a patent for it. Out had not yet done so. 

 They do not, therefore, feel at liberty to describe its peeuliari- 



