at the Lewes Meeting, 1852. 



307 



on the whole, so numerous, that it would be out of the question 

 to refer to them individually, and the course that will be 

 adopted is to mention all the difficulties that have been met 

 with, and then consider to what extent they are removable, and 

 how far they are inseparable from the peculiar construction of 

 the respective machines. To commence with those on the 

 Hussey principle : — The complaints expressed are — 



1st. The clogging of the knives, leading to stoppage, or even 

 breakage, when the crop is heavy or the straw damp, par- 

 ticularly when cutting barley, or when there is much couch or 

 young clover among the corn. 



2nd. The great pace at which the horses are obliged to 

 walk, especially under any of the circumstances named under 

 the first head. 



3rd. The heavy draught, requiring three horses. 



4th. The weight of the pole, which presses unduly on the 

 horses' necks, eventually making them tender. 



5th. The difficulty of delivery where the crop is heavy. 



Of these objections the fourth has been entirely obviated by 

 the adoption of curricle gear in Mr. Garrett's machines, and 

 shafts in lieu of pole by other makers ; and the ffth has been 

 materially reduced by the introduction of what is called the 

 roller-platform,* whereby the man's labour in putting off the corn 

 is much lightened. Every one knows the difference between 

 dragging and rolling a weight along the ground, and will there- 

 fore readily believe that the introduction of rollers to aid in the 

 delivery of the corn is a material improvement. 



The first, second, and third objections are inseparably con- 

 nected with the cutting principle of these machines, which has 

 been so often explained in print, that it will be sufficient to 

 mention here that the cutting part consists of wedge-shaped knives 

 which vibrate rapidly between metal guards or, as they are termed 

 in America, fingers. The angle at which the cutting-knife meets 

 the fixed edge is a very acute one, so that, though it has the ad- 

 vantage to some extent of a drawing cut, it yet meets its work so 

 directly as to require a sharp edge to sever any thickness of straw 

 or other tough substance. The splashing of rain causes the lower 

 parts of the stalks of all plants to have more or less soil ad- 

 hering to them, which quickly takes off the keenness of knives 

 cutting near the ground, and consequently no continuous action 

 of these machines could be maintained if it were necessary to 

 keep the knives so sharp as to cut with any effect when vibrating 

 at a moderate pace. To atone for the want of sharpness it is 

 requisite that the knives should move with great rapidity, and 



* The idea of the roller-platform originated with Mr. Palmer of Stockton-on- 

 Tees, -svhose highly intelligent suggestions have led to this and other improvements 

 in the reaping machine. 



