20 BRIEF NARRATIVE OF THE 



There are several other certificates equally conclusive and satis- 

 factory; but we will only copy in addition to the foregoing, a short 

 oiece from the " Farmer and Mechanic," issued July 3d, 1833, in Cin- 

 cinnati, as follows: 



" Several members of the Agricultural Society on last Wednesday, attended in 

 Carthage to see a machine for cutting wheat by horse power, in operation. It was 

 propelled by two horses, and cut as fast as eight persons could conveniently bind, 

 doing the cutting neatly. 



This machine is the invention of Mr. O. Hussey, and will no doubt prove a 

 useful addition to our agricultural implements. Mr. J. C. Ludlow suggested that it 

 would be good economy of time and labor, to take a threshing machine into the 

 field, and thresh out the grain as it is reaped, thereby saving the binding and hauling 

 to the barn or stack. We think the suggestion a good one." 



Here then, was the problem solved — the great discovery made, 

 that had puzzled the brains of hundreds if not of thousands, and for 

 centuries. No one we fearlessly assert had ever succeeded so com- 

 pletely and satisfactorily, and with so simple and practical a machine. 



Some visited the exhibition determined to condemn as they after- 

 wards acknowledged, deeming the thing impracticable; but all were 

 convinced; for the demonstration was of that character which left 

 no room for doubt or cavil on the minds of any. 



It was indeed a triumph, — not perhaps entirely unexpected to the 

 inventor — but neither he, or any one else at that early day, could 

 foresee the wonderful changes ultimately to be effected, and the world 

 wide renown to be conferred on the inventor as the result of this 

 experiment; one that was certain to immortalize his name as a pioneer 

 and benefactor in the most useful and peaceful pursuits in life. It was 

 too, the dawn of a brighter day to the toiling husbandman, by lighten- 

 ing his labours, and adding to his comfort and independence; only 

 circumscribed in its beneficial influence by the bounds of civilization. 



Some may possi.bly suppose that we view the invention in too 

 glowing colours; but we have yet to meet with the farmer who owned 

 a good reaping and mowing machine, that w^ould dispense with its 

 advantages for twice the cost of the implement, and again be com- 

 pelled to resort to the sickle, the cradle, and the scythe; for of a truth 

 it completely supersedes all three in competent hands and with fair 

 usage, in both the grain and grass crops. 



It is difficult to confine our narrative to its intended brief limits 

 and select from the mass of evidence on hand, as to the uninterrupted 

 success of Hussey's invaluable invention from that day to the present — 

 now twenty one years. We will therefore only select a single and short 

 account of each year; until about 1840 or '42; not long after which 

 a few other inventors came before the public. There was however 

 no competitor in the field from 1833, to 1841, or 1842, either in Europe 

 or America, so far as we can ascertain, that did more than make a few 

 occasional trials; none attracted public attention, or were successful 

 and efficient machines even in the estimation of the projectors them- 

 selves. The evidence proves it, and it is corroborated by our own 

 personal knowledge, having been constantly engaged in Agricultural 

 and Mechanical pursuits for more than thirty years — and as we believe, 



