162 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



process of working; the soil could possibly put it in better order for anj 

 crop, particularly one grown from fine seeds. 



As to the value of the macliine for many purpt)scs, the committee think 

 that there can be no doubt. There were a g-ood many farmers present at 

 the trial, all of whom appeared to be satisfied upon this point. 



It is worthy of being higlily rcconmiended to farmers as a new, valuable 

 agricultural implement, Avhieh has been greatly altered and improved since 

 its first inception, still retaining the original idea of fixing the teeth upon 

 a flexible chain, as far better than upon a rigid cylinder. The proprietor 

 attributes to it the following qualities : 



1. Will completely revolutionize the mode of cultivating the earth. 



2. Will diminish the cost of preparing the soil more than one-half. 



3. Will increase crops from fifty to one hundred per cent. 

 4 Will add to the quality and richness of all products. 



5. Will shorten the time of preparing the soil for planting, seeding. 



6. Will hasten the growth, and of course the ripening of crops. 

 1. Is a safeguard against drouth or very dry seasons. 



8. Is a perfect security also against flooding or wet seasons. 



9. Any person, even a boy or woman, can easily and safely work it." 

 The committee think: 



1. It will add one more excellent agricultural implement to our present 

 stock, but it will not " completely revolutionize" present modes of cultiva- 

 tion. It will not drive the plow from the field. 



2. We are not sure that it will diminish the cost of preparing the soil. 

 It requires four horses to cut thirty inches wide, and it would require three 

 to cut twenty inches, and that we think would be the best way, working 

 the three abreast. 



3. There is no doubt that it would increase crops, upon land prepared in 

 this way, over that plowed and harrowed, because it is better prepared. 



4. In this all will agree, because the crops are, as ag-encrul thing, always 

 of better q-iality upon land prepared in the best manner. 



5. Comparing the preparation of soil by this machine with the hand-fork, 

 which it resembles, the time would be shortened. 



6. Of course; because the act of working it so completely aerates the 

 soil, that seeds will vegetate readily. 



1. This will depend upon the depth of working. 



8. Doubtful. The machine has good qualities enough without clainiing 

 any doubtful ones. 



9. In this the committee would not agree. It requires as skillful a wt)rk- 

 man to operate it as it does to work a reaping machine. It never should 

 be undertaken by a boy or woman. 



In conclusion, the committee are satisfied to recommend farmers to give 

 this machine a place upon all farms that are tolerably level and free from 

 rocks aj»d stumps. Upon all such, it will work to advantage, though it 

 will not turn sod, and probably would not work well in weedy stubble. 

 But upon deeply turned furrows, if the teeth of this machine were set at a 

 depth not to disturb the grass or weeds turned under, it would fit the sur- 

 face for any kind of seed better and probably cheaper than any other 



