330 



THE WHEAT CULTUKIST. 



the weight of the working parts ; the one so balancing 

 the other, tliat the working of a lever is not necessary 

 to raise the inner end of the bar, as is the case with 

 nearly all other machines. The finger-bar is of a great- 

 ly improved pattern, giving a cut close to the ground 

 in mowing. The cntter-bars, or knives, are made light 

 and strong, of the best cutting steel, and tempered with 

 great care, so as to give an elastic cutting edge suitable 

 as well for stony and sandy ground as for the tough, 

 fine, close bottoms of old meadows. The machine is 

 made of iron and steel throughout, except the pole, seat, 

 and track-clearer. The cutting apparatus is the same 

 as that used for mowing, with the finger-bar raised to 

 the required height for reaping. The platform is so 

 shaped as to deliver the grain easily at the side of the 

 machine. When used as a hand-raker, the person rak- 

 ing ofi", sits a little in the rear of the frame, having per- 

 fect command of the grain as it falls on the platform ; 

 and can bring it off with one easy quarter sweep of his 

 rake. The reel self rake has recently been attached to 

 the reaper ; and it is operated by simple gearing from 

 the level wheel-shaft. A small pinion engages the gear 

 of a circular plate having four radial arms. These arms 

 are pivoted at their connection with the circular plate, 

 and are moved vertically by means of cams and ways ; 

 and receive from them all the necessary motions for 

 sweeping the grain on the platform as it is cut, and rak- 

 ing it off in a gavel, when required. Beaters are at- 

 tached to three of the arms for gathering the grain upon 

 the platform ; and to the other arm a rake is bolted, to 

 take the grain off. Rakes may also be attached to the 

 other arms in place of beaters, so as to deliver the grain 

 in a nearly continuous swath. This is a very strong 



