Comparative Cost of different Systems. 
105 
warrant the heavy expenditure required either for a reaping 
machine or self-binder. Two men are required on the machine 
and two seats are provided. A two-horse mower fitted with 
reaping attachment, costs 16?. 10s., and the wear and tear on 
such implements must therefore be at least proportionately less. 
The cost per acre depends upon the area cut, which may be 
assumed at nine or ten acres per day. The draught being 
lighter and the holdings being small, two horses will suffice. 
£ s. d. 
Two horses at 2s. 6 d. . . . . . . . .050 
Two men at 4s. . . . . . . . .080 
One spare man to cut corners and sharpen knives, at 4s. .040 
Oil and files . . . . . . . . . .010 
Interest, wear, tear, and repair, at 15 per cent, on 16Z. 
spread over twelve days . . . . . .040 
£12 0 
The cost per acre for cutting nine acres per day would 
therefore be 2s. 5^d. per acre. These machines are back 
delivery, and the sheaves must be taken up and tied at once, 
as otherwise they would be trampled upon by the horses ; 
this sometimes delays the work and may render nine acres per 
day sanguine. If we estimate the cost of actual cutting at 
2s. 6d. and add 5s. or 6s. for tying, stooking, and raking, the 
expense will amount to from 7s. fid. to 8s. 6d. per acre. 
Other Harvest Appliances. 
Not only have harvesting operations been cheapened by 
the introduction of reaping and binding machines, but also 
by the use of improved horse-rakes and elevators or stackers, 
which help further to save manual labour and diminish cost. 
The total cost of harvesting corn crops was estimated by the 
late Mr. J. C. Morton in 1868, as it “ may be conducted,” 
as follows : — 
Per acre 
s. d. 
Cutting by machine, tying, and stooking ' . . . . 6 0 
Pitching and loading ........10 
Rick building .......... 0 8 
Carrying. .......... 0 8 
Thatching . 14 
9 8 
Mr. Morton also wrote : “ As it is actually still conducted 
(1868), unavoidably indeed, in many instances, owing to a 
bulky and late crop, the reaping alone may sometimes cost 
15s. to 20s. per acre — the carrying and building may cost 3s. 
or 4s. more — the thatching Is. per square, may cost rather 
