192 
THE CULTIVATOR 
May, 
Contents of this Number. 
Report of Mass. Commissioners on Agricultural School,. 
Sketch of Putnam County, N. Y., by H. C. W.,. 
Causes of Agricultural Improvement,. 
The Wheat Crop of New-York,. 
The Architecture of Country Houses,. 
Cutting and Laying Tile Drain, by Prof. J. P. Norton,. 
Requisites for Butter Dairies,. .... 
Skim-Milk and Butter from 16 Cows, by S. L. Wattles—1 
Large yield of Butter—Cure of Wens in Cattle,. j 
Cure for Scratches in Horses—Cure for Foot Rot in Sheep—1 
Lime for the Curculio—Protecting half-hardy Plants—Utility J 
Trellis for Grapes—Protection of Grape-vines from Rose Bugs,) 
by A. M. Holt,. .... ] 
The Curculio—Notices of New Publications,. 
Breeding and Management of the Rabbit, by F.,. 
Plan of a Dairy Barn, by G. Evans,... 
Best Grass for low Lands—Indian Corn for Fodder,. 
Cultivation of Potatoes, by J. H. Alexander—I mproved Stock I 
in Nova Scotia, by James Irons. .j 
Indian Corn—Injury by Muskrats—Vitality of some varieties j 
of Seeds,.J 
Notes for the Month—To Correspondents,. 
Answers to Inquiries,... 
Hussey’s Reaping Machine, by Obed Hussey,. 
161 
163 
165 
166 
167 
169 
171 
173 
173 
174 
175 
176 
178 
180 
181 
182 
183 
185 
186 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
Fancy Lop-Eared Rabbits,. 176 
Cross Section and Floors of Barn.. 178, 179 
Reaping, Mowing and Hemp Cutting. 
HUSSEY’S REAPING AND MOWING MACHINE. 
I T is now eighteen years since the subscriber hrst introduced his 
Reaping Machine into the State of New-York. It then cut two 
and a half acres in one hour and twenty minutes, and in the language 
of an old and experienced farmer of that day, “ It cheated the hogs.” 
As the farmers of Western New-York appear to be yet unacquaint¬ 
ed with the real merits of the Machine, for want of procuring those 
of Baltimore make, the following letters are respectfully offered for 
their perusal. 
Utica, Lasalle Co., Illinois, Dec. 14, 1850. 
Mr. Obed Hussey, Baltimore, Md.—Dear Sir: I received your 
Reaping and Mowing Machine in time for harvest. I used it for liar-, 
vesting and for mowing. I am fully satisfied that your Machines are 
the best yet offered to the farmers of this state. I have mowed about 
four hundred acres, a great portion of which was wild prairie, very 
frequently running against both stones and ant heaps, with sufficient 
force to throw both driver and raker off the Machine, without injury 
to the Machine. Why your Machine is preferable to all others, is, 
after you have cut your different kinds of grain, nlly as well as can 
be done by any other Machine, with not over fifteen minutes work, 
you can take the same machine into your meadow, or on to the prairie, 
and cut your grass at the rate of ten acres per day, cutting it closer 
and cleaner, than can be done with the scythe. With proper care, 
your machine will last fifteen or twenty years with trifling repairs. 
Very respectfully yours. " JAMES CLARKE. 
P. S. There is an imperfect Machine, [your patent,] made on Fox 
River, which has failed in every instance that I have heard from. 
Your attention to this will confer a favor on the farmers of Illinois, as 
those imperfect Machines are extensively scattered over the state. 
Island Grove, Sangamon Co., Ill., Dec. 25, 1850. 
Mr. Obed Hussey, Baltimore, Md.—Dear Sir: Last summer I re¬ 
ceived two of Hussey’s Reaping and Mowing Machines, one from 
your own shop in Baltimore, and the other manufactured in this state. 
Unfortunately for me, I retained the one manufactured in this state, 
and with difficulty succeeded in cutting about two hundred acres of 
wheat and grass. T.hp one from your shop I let Mr. John Simms 
have, who cut his wheat, oats and hay, about seventy-five acres, 
with perfect satisfaction and ease, most of it with two horses, and 
without being obliged to grind the knives. After Mr. Simms finished 
his harvest, he let Mr. J. D. Smith, of Island Grove, have it, who cut 
about three hundred acres of grass with it, the machine giving per¬ 
fect satisfaction. Very respectfully yours. EDWARD J. ENO. 
Springfield, Ill, Dec. 25, 1850. 
Mr. Obed Hussey, Baltimore, Md.—Dear Sir: I have used one of 
your Mowing and Reaping Machines, and consider it the best Ma¬ 
chine I ever saw, and never intend to do without one, if it is possible 
to get one, even if I have to go to Baltimore and remain at the shop 
till one can be made. I do candidly believe that if I had had one ten 
years ago, I would now feel like a much younger man—and cheer¬ 
fully recommend them to all who have grass or grain to cut, as a 
Machine that will do their work in perfect order, neatness, and with 
ease to all employed, JOHN SEMMS, 
4 miles west of Springfield, Ill. 
Carrolton, Green county, Ill., Dec. 27, 1850- 
I procured one of Mr. Hussey’s Reaping and Mowing Machines 
from Baltimore last spring. I cut eighty acres of wheat, and ten acres 
of oats, and fifty acres of timothy with it. to my entire satisfaction. 
After which I cut sixty acres of Clover seed with it in less than five 
Jays. I could not have saved the clover seed without the machine, 
so I consider I saved the whole cost of the machine in the saving of 
clover seed alone. SAMUEL THOMAS. 
Springfield, Ill., Dec. 25, 1850. 
Mr. Obed Hussey, Baltimore, Md.—Dear Sir : During the harvest 
of August, 1849, with one of your Machines, I cut sixty acres of 
nernp, using a set of four and a half feet knives and guard, and two 
teams, of four horses each, changing every two rounds, which cut on 
an average eight acres per day. This last harvest, the same single 
machine, with six foot guard and knives, operated by the same force, 
cut successively two hundred and fifty acres of Hemp, or from ten 
to twelve acres per day. From tins experience, I take pleasure in 
recommending your cutters above the Hemp cradle and hook, not 
only as a labor saving, by the expedition with which they cut, but as 
Hemp saving, from the perfect thoroughness, evenness, and nearness 
to the ground, with which they do their work, and the regular, and 
collected form in which they leave the Hemp after being cut. 
Yours respectfully, EDWARD S. COX. 
Naperville, August 27, 1849. 
A few days since, Mr. Hussey came to this place with his Reaper, 
manufactured at Baltimore, to exhibit to the farmers of Du Page 
county. His first trial here, was in a piece of Hedgerow Wheat, on 
new land, and very heavy, but standing up well, and in good order 
for cutting. It did the work well, and very fast, as grass and weeds 
were no impediment. We next went into a piece of Black Sea 
Wheat of fourteen acres, a part of which was nearly flat on the 
ground, and lying in all directions. I had no idea, that it could be cut 
by any machine, but to my astonishment, it worked as free and easy 
as if the grain were standing up; we frequently went round the 
piece on a trot. We were visited in the course of the day by from 
fifty to seventy persons, who were all well pleased, and thought we 
were doing better work than they had ever before seen done by any 
other machine. Although I had two other machines in my field, 
could I have kept the Hussey Reaper through my harvest, and aban¬ 
doned all others, I should have finished several days sooner, and did 
my work much more to my satisfaction. MORRIS SLEIGHT. 
It should be understood, and the subscriber will here state the 
fact, that the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing, 
are well acquainted with the different reapers used in the western 
states. 
He will state another fact, to wit: The reaper so often spoken of 
in the west, first appeared in Virginia, in competition with his own. 
It has now nearly disappeared, and Hussey’s Reaping Machine is now 
rapidly taking their places. All orders must be directed to the sub- 
scriber in Baltimore. _ OBED HUSSEY. 
Lawrence Scientific School, 
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. 
S PECIAL STUDENTS attend daily, from 9 o’clock, A. M., till 
5 o’clock, P. M., in the Laboratories, and under the direction of 
the following Professors: 
Louis Agassiz, LLD., Professor of Geology and Zoology. 
Jeffreys Wyman, M. D., Professor of Comparative Anatomy and 
Physiology. 
Henry L. Eustis, A. M., Professor of Engineering. 
Eben Norton Horsford, A. M., Professor of Chemistry. 
Instruction is also given by Professor Pierce in Mathematics, Prof. 
Lovering in Physics, and the Messrs. Bond at the Astronomical Ob¬ 
servatory. 
All lectures delivered to the undergraduates of the College, are free 
to members of the Scientific School. For further information apply 
to E. N. HORSFORD, Dean of the Faculty. 
May 1, 1851—3t. 
Bone Manure. 
A VERY superior quality of Bone Dust, finely ground, and war¬ 
ranted pure, is now prepared at the Eagle Manufacturing 
Co., for Farmers and Gardeners. It is perfectly dry, packed in tight 
barrels, and will keep sound in any climate. Apply to 
May 1—It* ALFRED T. KEMP, 62 Beaver-st., New-York. 
New York Agricultural Warehouse and Seed Store. 
A B. ALLEN 6c CO., 189 and 191 Water street, New York. 
• Fresh Garden Seeds, a large assortment of the various kinds 
Also, Field Seeds. 
Lawn and other grasses. 
Horticultural and, Garden Implements. The best and greatest 
variety for sale in the United States. Plows, Spades, Hoes, &c. &c 
Guano , Bone Dust , Poudrette , and other lertilizers 
Prompt attention given to all orders by letter or otherwise. 
March 1—tf. 
HOUSE POWER. 
U NRIVALLED Horse Powers of all kinds, guaranteed the best 
in the United States. 
1. The Endless Chain or Railway Power, of our own manufac¬ 
ture, both single and double geered, for one and two horses. These 
have never been equalled by any other manufacturer for lightness in 
running, strength, durability and economy. They are universally 
approved wherever they have been tried. 
2. The Bogardus Power, for one to four horses. These are com¬ 
pact and wholly of iron, and adapted to all kinds of work. 
3. Eddy’s circular wrought iron large Cog Wheels, for one to six 
horses. A new and favorite Power. 
4. Trimble’s iron sweep Power for one to four horses. Warren’s 
ditto. A. B. ALLEN 6c CO., 
March 1—tf. 189 !c 191 Water street, New York. 
THE CULTIVATOR 
Is published on the first of each month, at Albany, N. Y., by 
LUTHER TUCKER, PROPRIETOR. 
LUTHER TUCKER 6c SANFORD HOWARD, Editors. 
SI per Ann—7 Copies for 85—15 for $10. 
O 1 ’ All subscriptions to commence with the volume, (the Jan. 
No.,] and to be paid in advance. 
[Cr* All subscriptions not renewed by payment for the next year, 
are discontinued at the end of each volume. 
