352 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Aug, 



of knowing that all around him are comfortable ; 

 he loves to retire at night, with the happy conso- 

 lation that nothing dependent on him Buffers 

 from cold or hunger. 



The farmer not only takes pride in raising good 

 crops, but he also takes pride in raising good 

 stock, which he finds both a source of enjoyment 

 and profit. He loves to feed them, litter and 

 keep them clean and comfortable. In a word, he 

 is interested in their welfare ; for what is for their 

 good, is for his benefit. He loves to have th m 

 hearty, and to this end gives them a change of 

 food. He loves to see them look sleek, and he 

 knows the "card and curry," with good feed, will 

 do it. But above all, he loves to have the name 

 of having the best Ktock of cattle and horses in 

 town ; and occasionally have some well known 

 Boston cattle-dealer compliment him with "a big- 

 ger pile of 'rocks,' than he had paid any body 

 else," for his best fat oxen. 



Another pastime our hero of a farmer loves 

 dearly ; that is, to sit the long winter evenings 

 with his "gude wife," lovely daughters and prom- 

 ising boys around him ; aadall enjoying the good 

 of their labor. T. P. Bailey. 



Newbury, Vt., 1861. 



MO"WING- MACHINES. 

 We have frequent inquiries, made both by let- 

 ter and verbally, in regard to the operation of 

 these machines, and though we have, at various 

 times, published descriptions of the principal 

 ones now in use in New England, we will, to an- 

 swer these inquiries once for all, give once more 

 the method of construction and operation of the 

 four machines most in use here, referring our read- 

 ers who are interested in the subject, X.d the adver- 

 tisements and circulars of the parties by whom 

 these machines are sold, for such minute particu- 

 lars, and such recommendations as would be out of 

 place in this article. As to the question, — Which 

 is the best Mower ? — it is one we are unable to 

 answer. One machine would satisfy the wants of 

 one farmer, while it would operate unsatisfacto- 

 rily in the hands of another, and we know per- 

 sons who are equally good farmers, who prefer 

 respectively, the Manny, the Wood, the Ketch- 

 um, the Buckeye, the Allen, or some other ma- 

 chine, over all others. Much depends on use, 

 and a man who has accustomed himself to the 

 working of one machine, would with difficulty 

 adopt one of different construction. Each farm- 

 er should decide for himself, from observation, 

 or from the recommendations of those whom he 

 considers competent to judge. But we think no 

 one, from a single trial, or from any thing less 

 than an entire season's use, can be able to decide 

 that any machine will answer all a farmer's re- 

 quirements. 



The Ketchum Machine has, we believe, been 

 longer in the market than any other in New Eng- 

 land, and has undergone various modifications 



and improvements. As at present constructed, 

 the machine, except the poles or shafts, is made 

 entirely of iron, weighs only 450 to 480 pounds, 

 cuts a swath 3i to ih feet in width, and sells for 



$70,00 to $85,00. The inner side of the driving 

 wheel, towards the machine, is supplied with cogs, 

 which operate upon a small cog wheel at the side 

 of the pole, and at the height of the axle of the 

 large wheel from the ground. By a connection 

 through other gearing arranged very compactly 

 between the pole and the driving wheel, and in 

 front of the shaft of the latter, motion is commu- 

 nicated to the cutter bar, which hangs off to the 

 right of the machine, and which is supported at 

 the heel by a small wheel. The cutter bar is di- 

 rectly in a line with the shaft or axle of the driv- 

 ing wheel, so that when the latter rises or falls, 

 in going over any irregularities in the ground, the 

 knives rise or fall at the same instant. By means 

 of levers, easily operated by the driver in his seat, 

 the machine can be instantly thrown out of, or 

 into gear, or the knives can be raised to pass over 

 any obstruction. The machine is light, durable, 

 compact, and of moderate draught. 



The Manny Machine is the next in age to 

 the Ketchum, and like that, has been the subject 

 of numerous improvements, some change in the 

 minor details being made nearly every year. The 

 machine runs upon one driving wheel, which sup- 

 ports the frame, and the shaft of which carries 

 the machinery by which the cutter bar is operat- 



ed. A small wheel runs under the foot of the 

 pole, which helps to support the weight, and adds 

 steadiness to the machine, and the outer end of 

 the finger bar is supported by another small wheel. 

 The machine is heavier than the Ketchum, weigh- 

 ing 650 pounds for the large two-horse machine. 

 We do not know the price. One peculiarity of 



