THE SOUTHE 



M. Peyton and* Dr. Braxton informed us, that 

 they had not experienced the slightest difficulty 

 in the management of the machine, and that it 

 did its work most effectually, under the most 

 disadvantageous circumstances. Mr. Peyton 

 says it will cut fifteen acres per day, without 

 leaving a single stalk standing in the field. He 

 considers that the wheat saved in a large crop, 

 will more than pay for the machine. 



We will endeavor to describe its operation. — 

 The machine weighs about six hundred pounds, 

 and is drawn forward by two horses, which are 

 amply sufficient for the draught. It rests upon 

 two wheels, a large and strong one at (t) t a 

 smaller and lighter one at (n). On the shaft of 

 the large wheel, is placed a drum, a band from 

 which passing around the pulley (x) gives mo- 

 tion to the reel ; upon the same shaft, is also 

 placed a bevil wheel, that works into a pinion 

 on a shaft lying at an angle of about forty-five 

 degrees. Upon the other end of this shaft, an- 

 other bevil wheel is placed, which works into a 

 pinion on an upright shaft, giving a horizontal 

 motion to the fly wheel (o), to the crank of the 

 driver or pitman of which the knife is attached. 

 The knife itself, the cutting part of which is six 

 feet, is formed with a sickle edge, and works 

 under the teeth upon an iron bar, beyond which 

 it projects about a quarter of an inch; it is 

 sharpened by merely grinding down the upper 

 surface ; but this is not required in a single crop. 

 The teeth, represented at (b), are shaped like 

 spear heads ; as the machine is drawn forward, 

 the stalks of the grain are compressed between 

 them, and falling behind the shoulders, are held 

 for the operation of the knife: the ribs of the 

 reel serve also to press the stalks against the 

 knife, before they are cut, and to deposit them 

 upon the platform, afterwards. The raker walks 

 along by the side of the platform, and draws 

 the grain off fast enough to keep six or seven 

 binders at work. As this though is tough 

 work, he changes with the, who has nothing to 

 do but sitting on the back of the near horse, to 

 guide the machine by keeping his left foot touch- 

 ing the edge of the standing grain. 



The stubble may be left from nine to thirteen 

 inches high, by raising or lowering the knife. — 

 This is effected by simply changing the holes 

 of the pins which connect the tongue with the 

 body of the machine: the other end of the 

 tongue is fastened securely, and steadily, to the 

 breasts of the horses ; and as the machine tilts, 



RN PLANTER. 13 



like a cart, upon the wheels, it may of course 

 be lowered or depressed in the manner we have 

 pointed out. It may be as well to mention here, 

 that although we have appropriated a pretty 

 large space to our own tongue, that we could 

 not find room for Mr. M'Cormick's, in the en- 

 graving, without cutting it in two, which is 

 never done in the machine itself. 



In conclusion, we will state that several of 

 the most judicious farmers in the State have, 

 after a careful examination, ordered machines 

 for the coming harvest. It is also proper to 

 state, that we have a small, a very small, inter- 

 est in this machine, having undertaken an agen- 

 cy for the proprietor. The price is one hundred 

 dollars, with the cost of delivery added. 



WINTER FOWLS— WINTER EGGS. 



Some of our New Jersey subscribers are de- 

 sirous to learn of us the best modes of keeping 

 hens through the winter in order to insure a 

 good batch of eggs. 



1. An important point is to have good fowls ; 

 fallow hens are a great nuisance at any time. 



2. Keep no old hens ; four-year-old poultry is 

 quite tough enough. 



3. Let hens have a warm place to lay and to 

 roost in. 



4. Let them have enough to eat — a supply 

 always by them. This will prevent starvation 

 and surfeit. Hens eat too much at a time to 

 lay many eggs if they have long been kept 

 hungry. 



5. The food of hens should contain lime, as 

 lime is essential to form the egg-shell. Wheat,, 

 buckwheat, and potatoes, all contain a good 

 quantity of lime. In addition to this, old mor- 

 tar, pounded, should be at hand, and gravel 

 stones in their natural state are excellent. 



6. Hens must not be suffered to harbor lice, 

 and they will have but few, if they have an op- 

 portunity to wallow in ashes — sand is belter than 

 nothing, but ashes are best. If the hen-house 

 has not been attended to, it should be washed 

 with strong lie — a syringe will soon do the job 

 on extensive waifs. 



7. Good nests : should be provided, and fresh 

 bay or straw is.'alwaj^s preferred by them. — 

 They know enough to prefer new hay and new 

 nests to one that has been occupied by a setting- 

 hen. 



8. A change of stock should often take place, 

 and neighbors would do well to make exchanges 

 every season. Hens will lay more eggs in a 

 new home than in an old one. 



9. All fowls require meat, and they will not 

 long continue healthy without it. Save for 



