Proceedings of the Farmers' Club. 477 



To show the importance of my theme, I will glance at the num- 

 ber of these machines now in use in the United States. 



We have no reliable information of the number of machines made 

 or in use in 1850. It must have been very small — probably less 

 than 5,000. Nor did the rapid growth of this branch of manufac- 

 ture beffin soon after that date. Not till 1855 did it assume notice- 

 able proportions. But in 1864 there were, in the United States, 

 one hundred and eighty-seven establishments, making this kind of 

 machines, many of them of great extent, substantially built, com- 

 pletely furnished with power, machinery, tools, all of the best 

 kinds and styles, and the work beautifully and wisely systematized. 

 The population sustained directly by these manufactories, amounted 

 to about 60,000. The product was of the value of $15,000,000, 

 the number of machines being a little short of 100,000. From this 

 pivotal point we may run back, grading downward, eight yeai's, 

 and run fdward, grading upward, four years, and the sum will 

 7-epresent the number of machines now in use after subtracting for 

 those worn out and abandoned. Suppose we run it down at ten 

 per cent per annum, and up at the same rate. This gives about 

 1,130,000, made in the twelve years, and would justify us in say- 

 ins: that there are 900,000 now in use, and more than that number 

 of families blessed and made happy by their well working, or 

 afflicted and distressed by the perplexities attending their use. On 

 this account I claim that my theme — how to select a mowing 

 machine and how to run it — is important, whatever may be said of 

 my manner of treating it. I will now call your attention to that 

 substantial farmer in Ohio who is just gathering his hundred tons 

 of hay. His men are filling the barn as he comes bustling in from 

 the meadow, all aglow with heat, and dripping with perspiration 

 from every pore of his great body, for he weighs one hundred and 

 eighty pounds, avoirdupois. 



" What's the matter. Uncle Joe?" 



"Oh! that boy don't make headway in mowing out there! He 

 won't cut five acres a day at this rate, and he ought to cut eight, 

 at least." 



" Don't he work?" 



" Work? I should think he did work — he's all in a sweat, and 

 the horses too. He drives up like Jehu; but, you see, every time 

 he comes to one of those soft, thick grassy places, the machine 

 chokes right up tight, and won't go through. Then he backs out; 

 and jumps off, and pulls out the grass, and fixes and fusses and oils 



