22 OFFICI.M. RrTRnSTKCTIVF I-.X 1 1 1 111 1 1().\ 



be likened to a straiiihteiieil-oul leapin^-liDok adapleil to rei'iprocate 

 longitudinally; the barbs at the front edge were directed all one way. 

 Acting in opposition to the barbs on this blade was a bar having diag- 

 onally set pins, ailapted ni)t only to hold the grain to prevent its escape 

 from the cutting edge, but, by reciprocation, actually force the straws 

 there-against. 



The labor t)f raking the grain from tiie machine was given to a man 

 who walked behind. Dispensing with a raker's stand rendered the 

 machine somewhat simpler than any that had been put out before it. 



This machine was also provicleil with a long ilivider, the point of 

 which extended about si.x feet forward, and was connected by a high 

 brace from near its point to the general framework that supported the 

 reel at its outer end. The records of the United States I'atent Office 

 siiow that an unsuccessful attempt was made to extend the patent, with 

 the following result: 



"Patkni ()iiit k, January 22, 1.S4.S. 

 Sir: In compliance with your recjuisition, I have examineil the 

 patent of Cyrus H. McCormick, dated 31st June, 1834, and found that 

 the principal features embraced in said i)atent, viz: the cutting knife 

 and mode of operating it, the fingers to guide the grain, and the revolv- 

 ing rack for gathering the grain, were not new at the time of granting 

 said letters patent. 



"The knife, fingers, and general arrangements and operation of the 

 cutting apparatus are found in the reaping machine of O. Hussey, 

 patented 31st December, 1833. 



"The revolving rack presents novelty chiefly in form, as its (opera- 

 tion is similar to the revolving frame of James Ten Eyck, patentetl 2d 

 November, 1825. 



"Respectfully submitted, 



"Ch.\s. G. Page, Examiner. 

 "Hon. Edmund I^lrkk, Com'r of Patents." 



It appears from this that there was no valiil patent to extenil. The 

 machine of this patent did not meet with success, and the long-continued 

 efforts of the inventor are shown by his own words, taken from his state- 

 ment to the Commissioner of Patents, dateil January 1, 1848, now on 

 file in the United States Patent Office, which statement shows the pets 

 severance and boundless energy of Mr. McCormick: 



"From the experiment of 1831 until (for) the harvest of 1840 I did 

 not sell a single reaper, except one which I afterwards took back; 

 although during that time I had many exhibitions of it, and received 

 favorable notices of those exhibitions; but experience proved to me that 

 is was best for the public as well as myself that no sales were made, as 

 defects presented themselves which would have rendered the reaper 

 unprofitable in other hands. From time to time a great many improve- 

 ments were found necessary, recpiiring a great deal of thought and study 

 — sometimes flattered, at others discouraged ; and at all times deeming 

 it best not to attempt sales either of machines or rights to manufacture, 

 until satisfied that the reaper would succeed well; and the great variety 

 of situations in which it was necessary to operate, in relation to the con- 

 dition of the grain and ground, together with the short time in each 



