49 



vited to be present a certain day on one of the squares of 

 Rio Janeiro to see it work. They came, they saw, but 

 were by no means conquered along the line of their 

 prejudice ; for after acknowledging that it would do far 

 more work than the old hand mill and so save the labor 

 of a dozen or more slaves, the poser that overwhelmed 

 the hopes of the enterprising owners was " what could we 

 find for our slaves to do if we bought your mill? " 



As long as the two wings of the wheel harrows are fully 

 extended the draft is comparatively small, but as we in- 

 cline them toward each other, a drag motion is added and 

 the power necessary to draw it is increased, so that in my 

 experience, no horse that weighs less than twelve hundred 

 can stand the work day after day for many weeks without 

 breaking down. Indeed I am inclined to believe that my 

 pair weighing fifteen hundred each, find more work than 

 recreation in it before the season is over. The two wings 

 of the early varieties of wheel harrows were joined by a 

 ball and socket joint. This has been their weakness, for 

 unless it is better protected than in most varieties, it is but 

 a matter of time when particles of grit will work in and 

 ruin it. 



In the harrow which received the second premium the 

 two wings rotate on each other at the end discs. This 

 means, of course, a good deal of friction, but it is certain- 

 ly an improvement over the ball and socket joint. With 

 the wrecks of several wheel harrows always before my eye, 

 made on the ball and socket principle, I have turned 

 finally to the one named the Climax, and while I know 

 others which are easier for the rider, and have some 

 minor improvements, I have got to make the acquaintance 

 with one which will stand equal wear with so little in- 

 jury. The material which enters into the discs is first 

 class, and after nearly two years of use which would be 

 probable equal to ten years with the average farmer, I 

 have not yet been called upon to make a cent's worth of 

 outlay in the way of repairs. While harrows of the wheel 



