No. 216.] 135 



and continued use has shown the former is preferable; other things 

 being equal, the foot nriachine has been found to fatigue the opera- 

 tor, more than a hand machine. In working a foot machine, the 

 man is made to sustain his own weight, mostly on one leg from 

 which he is likely to be fatigued more than the man who has legs at 

 liberty, throwing the weight of his body or part of it through the 

 medium of his hand and arm, to operate his machine. 



The machine in question is of the kind called a hand machine, 

 designed particularly for carriage hubs. Your committee have ob- 

 served a quality in this machine not heretofore noticed in others, 

 at least not so perfect; that is the arrangement by which the work 

 is executed entirely and accurately without having been previously 

 laid out — the index wheel being well designed to effect this result; 

 the materials of which the machine is made, are mostly of wood, and 

 of course, of cheaper construction, and quite portable. The opera- 

 tion of the machine gave entire satisfaction to the committee, pos- 

 sessing so many good traits, it is recommended to the confidence of 

 such as take an interest in this kind of labor saving machines. 



Wrought and Cast Iron Bridge. 



The model exhibited by Solomon Whipple of Utica, N. Y., and 

 for which a silver medal was awaided, possesses sterling merits. 



The combination of the two kinds of metal are happily conceived; 

 the chords or crashing parts of the bridge are cast, and the tension 

 rods of wrought iron; the plan is wholly of iron, excepting the 

 string pieces for railroad bars, or the planking of a common bridge, 

 it has the merit both of economy and strength — two other models 

 by the same exhibitor; one having a cast iron chord, sustaining 

 string pieces by suspension rods, has considerable merit. 



Mowing Machine, 



Hitherto there has been but little success in attempts at machine 

 mowing. 



The machine exhibited by Wm. F. Ke.tchum of Buffalo, N. Y., 

 and for which a silver medal was awarded — does its work upon the 

 principle of shearing or clipping the grass, instead of cutting with 

 a single edge, it has the merit of great simplicity of construction, 

 and is a self sharpener operated by a single horse. 



Judging from the testimonials shown us, we think the machine 

 ought to be patronized by agriculturists. 



