MOAVING AND REAPING MACHINES. 



157 



endwise to this blade, shearing off the grass smoothly 

 as it advances through the meadow, like a large num- 

 ber of scissors in exceedingly rapid motion. Fig. 135 



Fig. 135. 



Back view of Ketchum^s Mower m operation. 



represents Ketchum's mower in operation as seen from 

 behind, cutting an even swath five feet wide as fast as 

 the horses advance. 



In the mowing-machine the cutting apparatus is 

 narrow, causing the newly-cut grass to fall evenly be- 

 hind it, covering the whole surface of the ground. The 

 reaping-machine is similar in construction, Avith the 

 addition of a platform for holding the grain as it falls, 

 as shown in the figure oiHussey^s Reaper {Fig. 136). 



Hussey's Reaping-machine. 



