76 



The Committee regret that they had not the means of meas ° 

 uring accurately" by the dynamometer the draught of the differ- 

 ent mowers. That would have settled one important point. 

 They were unanimous that the work was all well done. And 

 every farmer present, who owns only one horse of nearly one 

 thousand pounds weight, might have been satisfied that with 

 one of these machines he can do his own mowing well. 



This Committee doubts if it is best to continue, each year, 

 to award gratuities to mowing machines which have often been 

 exhibited, or for new ones, unless there is decided improvement 

 in their construction or manner of doing the work. 



It is often asked. Why do not small farmers more generally 

 use a mowing machine ? In reply, it may be said, each needs 

 one, but will neither hire nor own one in common with others, 

 for the obvious reason that he will not lie still in good weather, 

 while his neighbor's grass is being cut. He must have the con- 

 trol of the mower, or he will do without it. Now, if those 

 interested in the several mowers would combine in one machine, 

 so far as is practicable, all the merits peculiar to each of them, and 

 be content with a small profit, almost every farmer would buij one; 

 and this Committee would gladly commend that mower by a 

 decidedly favorable notice, and recommend a large premium. 



The Hay Tedder, exhibited by S. A. Merrill, is a very in- 

 genious machine, and no doubt will do the work well and very 

 fast — it is said at the rate of five acres per hour ; but we think 

 very few farmers will invest seventy-five dollars in a machine 

 simply to turn hay. Mr. Merrill also exhibited a one-horse 

 Buckeye mower, which we doubt not would work well, drawn 

 by one of his fine horses under his guiding hand. 



Cogswell & Lee's Revolving Horse Rake, on wheels, is a 

 new article, just patented. Those who are partial to a revolver, 

 and have become weary with walking, can now ride and with 

 a lever easily lift the loaded rake, two feet at least, over stones 

 and stumps, and turn the winrow over before the driver, instead 

 of behind, as other Horse Rakes do. The beam, however, is 

 shorter tlian other rakes, carrying less work. 



