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A BRIEF NARRATIVE 



OF THE 



INVENTION OF REilPING MilCHINES, 



AND AN EXAMINATION OF THE CLAIMS FOR PRIORITY OF INVENTION. 



The object aimed at in this examination, is to ascertain as far as relia- 

 ble evidence within reach will establish the fact — and before the evidence 

 may be lost — to whom belongs the credit of first rendering the Reap- 

 ing and Mowing Machine a practical and available implement to the 

 American farmer; not who theoretically i/rre}iied tx machine for the pur- 

 pose, that may have worked an hour only, and very imperfectly for 

 that short period, and was then laid aside; but who rendered it an 

 operating and efficient machine that was proved by successive years 

 in the harvest field, capable of doing its work, and doing it well; better 

 than either the scythe or cradle. 



The object is not to detract from the merits fairly claimed by any 

 inventor; but it is to examine into some of the rival claims, furnish 

 the evidence that has satisfied our own minds, and leave it for others 

 to judge for themselves. We would not intentionally deprive an 

 inventor of his often dearly bought and hard-earned fame — the crea- 

 tion of his own genius — for it is more prized than even fine gold by 

 many. But it is equally just that merit should be acknowledged, and 

 the meed of praise awarded, where it is honestly and fairly due; and 

 to this end, we propose and intend to examine into the evidence 

 closely and critically. It may also be right to remark that we have 

 no private or pecuniary interest whatever, in these, or any other patent 

 claims. 



As to the theoretical portion of the business, the enquiry might be 

 greatly extended; indeed for past centuries, as we have imperfect 

 accounts of Reaping Machines being used by the Romans. If the 

 ancients were successful in making a practical implement for Reaping, 

 by horse, or ox power, as some ancient writers assert, we certainly 

 have no correct and reliable account of a machine that would be con- 

 sidered efficient or useful at the present day; a machine to save or tear 

 off the heads only — as described by Pliny and Palladius — would more 

 properly be termed a gathering machine, and not at all suited to the 

 wants and habits of modern farmers. 



It was not until near the close of the past, and within the present 

 century, so far as we can learn, that the subject again claimed much 

 attention of the inventive talent of either this, or foreign countries. 



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