1853. 
THE CULTIVATOR 
HaUenheck’s Mowing Machine.' I 
The above cut represents a new mowing machine, 
invented by Martin Hallenbeck, of this city. The 
whole machine is very simple in its construction, and 
obviates the difficulties heretofore experienced in ma¬ 
chines of this kind. The frame is balanced upon the 
driving wheel. The point of draught is placed between 
the wheel and finger’bar. It is single geered, the 
pinion on the crank shaft meshing directly in the 
driving wheel. The pinion shaft is cast steel, wearing 
in a composition box 6 inches long. On this shaft is a 
balance wheel, and the crank pinion in it. From this 
crank the motion is communicated directly to the 
sickle, by means of a connection bar suitably shaped. 
The finger bar is attached to the frame at its rear end, 
a little back of a line drawn at right angles to the 
periphery of the wheel. The cutters are sickle-edged, 
beveled from the upper side, and rest on and cut against 
the finger on the under side. The sickle bar is held in 
its place by a plate extending its entire length, and 
enclosing it free from grass and dirt. This plate is 
adjusted by^means of screws. The fingers are so con¬ 
structed that the sickle blade is uncovered on the upper 
side, yet the point of the sickle is protected. The sides 
of the fingers are so made that when the grass is acted 
upon by the cutters it cannot recede, but is effectually 
cut off. Each finger forms a shoe to bear the finger 
bar. The whole finger bar is of wrought iron. The 
driver’s seat is placed on the side of the wheel opposite 
the finger bar. 
The following advantages are claimed for this ma¬ 
chine : • - 
1. Its simplicity, which 7 will he readily perceived. 
2. The ease with which it is drawn by two horses. 
The frame being balanced on the wheel, the weight of 
the driver causes the finger bar to rest lightly upon the 
ground, and renders the draught comparatively easy. 
3. There is no side draft. The tongue for the .horses 
being placed on the frame at a point suitably propor¬ 
tioned, so that the resistance of the wheel and finger 
bar counterbalance each other. 
4. The location of the .finger bar on the frame at a 
point where it can adapt itself, independent of the 
I wheel, to uneven surfaces, by raising or falling, while 
at the same time, by. an arrangement at the tongue, the 
fingers may be raised or lowered, to cut long or short 
. stubbles. 
5. The single goer. In consequence of the great 
improvement in the cutting parts, less velocity of the 
j sickle is required, and a single geer is used to the best 
advantage. 
6. The peculiar construction of the fingers, so that 
every possibility of the sickle clogging is obviated. 
7. The sickle is so placed above the finger, that the 
friction sharpens" it, and it requires no grinding. 
8. The shoe on the end of the finger bar is so shaped 
that it does not crush down the grass over which it 
passes. And the track clearer, by its trembling motion, 
clears itself and opens a clear track. 
This machine is manufactured in this city, at the 
Agricultural Works of Deering & Dederick, corner 
of Franklin and Bleecker streets, where they may bo 
; seen at any time. The price is fixed at $110, guaran¬ 
teed to give satisfaction. 
For further information, letters may he addressed to 
the inventpr. D. 
Muck for Composts. 
Ilion, Herkimer Co, N. Y., Nov. 7, 1853. 
Messrs. Editors —We have several ponds and res¬ 
ervoirs on a rapid stream, in which large quantities of 
alluvial matter are being continually deposited, and 
which has to be got rid of from time to time, either by 
opening gates in our ct hulk-heads” and washing it 
down stream , or by taking it out on wheel barrows. 
When so wheeled out could it be made available as a 
fertilizer; if so what would be the best manner of 
preparing and applying it 7 
If convenient, a reply in your next number will 
much oblige an Old Subscriber. 
The “ matter” mentioned above, is a valuable base 
for compost. It may be carted into the barn-yard, and 
thoroughly mixed with stable manures, or be used to 
i absorb the urine from the stables, or made into a com- d* 
post with ashes, lime. &e. Numerous directions for 
such composts will be found in our past numbers. 
