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has kept pace with the invention of the mechanic in its con- 

 struction. It will not be an easy matter to improve our mow- 

 ing-machines. 



We wish Ave could say as much of the horse-rakes and ted- 

 ders, which are in use among us. The problem of horse-rakes 

 remains to be solved. It is unfortunate that the "revolving 

 rake," with all its difficulty of management, should still stand, 

 very high on the list — in the estimation of many, who like 

 clean-raked lands, and hay free from dust, the highest. It is 

 unfortunate also that the mechanism of a tedder, which will 

 work easily, with light draft, and effectually, should apparent- 

 ly be so difficult to devise. But so it seems to be. 



For loading hay in the field, it will probably be difficult to 

 invent a machine superior to a strong arm with a good fork. 

 But for unloading hay in the barn, we would direct the atten- 

 tion of our farmers to " Wheeler & Merrick's Excelsior Pitch 

 Fork." It is simple in its construction, can be managed by 

 any able-bodied farm hand ; and not only saves the heating 

 and exhausting labor of pitching hay from a load, in a close 

 barn, and perhaps to a great height, but it avoids the necessi- 

 ty of employing a large number of men in stowing hay, and 

 in passing it from one part of the building to another. It is 

 difficult to estimate the precise amount of labor which it will 

 save. It is certain, however, that in raising a ton of hay to 

 the top of a well filled mow, it can perform the labor of three 

 able-bodied men, and save the time of three more. And more 

 than all — when it is generally introduced, we shall see no 

 more of those permanent scaffolds over the driveway of our 

 barns, which, with their narrow scuttle-holes, are the most in- 

 convenient design, which ever " entered the heart of man to 

 conceive." And this brings us to the consideration of our 



FAUM BUILDINGS. 



We do not propose to discuss the dwellings of the farmers 

 of the county ; for the location and style, and adornment of 

 these structures depend so much upon the taste of the builder, 

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