Reports of Judges. 121 



to get out of order; it consists of an emery Avlieel, conical in 

 shape, with a rest upon which the knives to be sharpened are 

 placed; the edges of each knife are presented to the surface of the 

 stone at the same angle, which insures a more perfect edge, and 

 prevents any nicking or uneven grinding; it is a veiy important 

 item with all farmers, to be able to keep their mowing knives in 

 good order; the difference made in the draft of a machine with 

 knives in passable order, or in excellent order, is truly surprising, 

 and is readily perceived by the working of the horses; many farmers 

 are without any mechanical skill, and are unable to keep their 

 knives in ijood order, without the assistance of somethinfj of this 

 kind. 2. The absence of all danger to the person turning the 

 wheel, and the comparative safety of the person grinding the 

 knives; the emery stone is turned by the application of power 

 from a large wheel some six feet in diameter, by means of a twisted 

 cord; the large wheel is at least six feet from the stone, so if the 

 knives should slip, there would be no danger of getting cut; the 

 rest for the knives is a great support to the person grinding, and 

 in consequence there is less lial)ility to accidents. 



No. 402. Empire Windmill. (R. H. Allen & Co.) This is 

 decided to ])e the best on exhibition. Its merits are, its capability 

 of adjusting itself to the violence of the gale, by the opening of 

 the blades and wings, and allowing the wind to pass through. 

 This is very essential to the perfect success of a windmill; many 

 of them are so constructed as not to admit of this, and consequently 

 they prove failures. The workmanship of the above mentioned 

 mill is worthy of praise. 



No. 416. Hay Rake. (Oscar Washburn.) Its merits are: 

 1. The teeth of this raSe are of such construction, they can be 

 easily repaired by any blacksmith, which is not the case with 

 uU, 2. It can be relieved of its load very easily, more easily 

 than others; it is simple, and not likely to get out of order; 

 cheaper than many ; and the teeth are in front of the wdieels ; 

 your work is in sight when using one, and the horse nearer his 

 labor. 



No, 313. Specimens of Scythes. (Greenwood Scythe Com- 

 pany.) The above is an elaborate display of scythes of all kinds 

 and descriptions, the common grass scythe varying im width and 

 length; the large cradle scythe, stubble scythes, and a number of 

 corn knifes, all are splendid specimens of mechanical skill and 

 laljor. The corn knives are an improvement most decidedly on 



