THE CULTIVATOR. 
85 
SHORT HORN BULL NORTHUMBERLAN D.—[Fi g 53 ] 
Messrs. Editors —You have here a portrait of my 
Short Horn Bull “ Northumberland.” He was two 
years old on the 23d of Dec. last—his color is princi¬ 
pally red, though interspersed with a few white spots 
—his form is thought by connoisseurs to be very per¬ 
fect ; and his pedigree I believe will satisfy the most 
fastidious ; but as it will be given in the next vol. of 
the Herd Book now about being issued, I will only 
say, that his dam was “ Appolonia,” selected and im¬ 
ported by myself in the spring of 1838, 
and his sire the 
“ Prince”of Northumberland,” of whose merits, several 
in this country as well as in England, can bear witness. 
As an evidence that they were thought to be of no or¬ 
dinary character, I was told that an offer of £500 
from some Kentucky gentlemen, had been refused for 
him. Truly yours, 
E. P. PRENTICE. 
Mount Hope, near Mb any, April 23, 1841. 
Pitt’s Thrashing 1 machine and Separator. 
Messrs. Editors —Living as I do, near where Mr. Pitts 
manufactures his Thrashing and Separating Machines, I am 
frequently called on for information in regard to its merits, 
which has led me to investigate its operation; and as some 
information of its utility may be interesting to some of your 
readers, I now intrude myself again on your notice, and will 
give such information as I have been enabled to obtain, to- 
f ether with my opinion of the machine. I would premise, 
owever, that I have no concern or interest in the manufacture 
or sale, nor have I been solicited by Mr. Pitts to say any thing 
in its favor ; and I have no motive in recommending it to the 
public, other than to aid the farmer in procuring a very valu¬ 
able and useful article, and to assist a worthy, ingenious and 
industrious mechanic. 
It is only about ten or twelve years, I believe, since the en¬ 
ergies and mighty genius of our countrymen was first aroused 
to this subject, since which improvements have progressed, 
and I will venture to say, more has been accomplished in 
simplifying and bringing them within the reach of our prudent 
and calculating farmers, than had been accomplished for thir¬ 
ty years previous. 
The first notice of Pitt’s machine for thrashing and clean¬ 
ing grain, we find in the “Maine Farmer, vol. 4,” published 
at Winthrop. The Editor, Doct. Holmes says, “We were 
invited the other day to witness the operation of an improve¬ 
ment in the mode of thrashing and separating or cleaning 
grain. The machine is the joint invention of Messrs. J. A. 
& H. A. Pitts of this town. It thrashes the grain clean, car¬ 
ries the straw off, and at the same time separates the grain 
completely from the chaff.” 
In the 5th volume of the same paper, we find the following 
testimony of the same machine. “ An improvement in the 
mode of thrashing and cleaning grain has been effected by 
Messrs. J. A. & H. A. Pitts of Winthrop, which we think ex¬ 
ceeds every thing we have heretofore seen or heard of. The 
improvement consists in adding a separator of a simple kind 
to th ■ ( ommon thrashing machine, whereby the straw is se¬ 
parated from the grain, and the grain winnowed from the 
chaff and foul seeds, in a complete and expeditious manner, 
all at one operation of the machine.” This is the testimony 
of ten gentlemen who had seen the machine in operation. 
It also appears that this machine was introduced into the 
State of Mass, in the fall of 1837, where after it had been fair¬ 
ly tested, it received the unqualified approbation ofthose who 
had purchased or employed the machine. This will appear 
from the following testimony. “ We own one of Pitt’s Ma¬ 
chines for thrashing and cleaning grain. Since we have had 
it, we have thrashed for about forty different farmers, and we 
are happy to say, all have been perfectly satisfied with its op¬ 
eration ; and we wiil add, it is the best mode of thrashing and 
cleaning grain we have ever seen, the machine having an¬ 
swered our most sanguine expectations.” Signed by Samuel 
March, Luther Stockwell and Leonard Dwinnell. 
It was also exhibited at the Essex County Agricultural So¬ 
ciety’s Fair, where it was highly approved of, and a gratuity 
of ten dollars bestowed. 
In July 1838, the Editor of the “ Maine Farmer” again says : 
“ Having frequently recommended this machine to the consi¬ 
deration of farmers, it is gratifying to find that in every trial 
it has sustained its good reputation. It is, beyond a doubt, 
the best apparatus for thrashing and cleaning grain that has 
as yet been introduced. The experience afforded by two 
years almost constant use, corroborates the high recommend¬ 
ations which have been heretofore given; ancT the unceasing 
demand for it, is a proof that it performs to the entire satisfac¬ 
tion of all who have employed it.” 
We next find this machine in the State of New-York; and 
how was it received here ? 
The first notice of it was published in the Oct. number of 
the Cultivator in 1839, by the late Judge Buel, who had one 
in operation on his premises for five days, which gave him a 
fair opportunity to test its usefulness. He says, “ This ma¬ 
chine was patented in June 1837, to J. A. & H. A. Pitts, 
Winthrop, Maine ; of course its merits or demerits can yet be 
but partially known to the American farmer. We heard it 
highly spoken of, but as hearing is not seeing, and as it is our 
practice not to recommend any new implement, till we are 
satisfied of its utility, we have waited for ocular demonstra¬ 
tion, before we would venture to join in its praise, but now 
having seen it in operation some days on our premises, we 
are prepared to give it our unqualified approbation, as an ex¬ 
cellent machine for the purposes intended.” He then goes on 
and describes the machine and its advantages over the com¬ 
mon thrasher; that it can be used in the field in fair weath¬ 
er, without wasting the grain, &c. 
The writer, in cumpany with Rev. H. Colman, of Massa¬ 
chusetts, and H. D. Grove of Hoosick, witnessed the opera¬ 
tion of the machine at the time above mentioned, and were 
highly gratified with its performance. 
In October 1839, the incidental committee of the Kennebec 
Agricultural Society, reported as follows: “ Pitts’ Separator— 
The machine for thrashing and cleaning grain,-invented and 
patented by J. A. & H. A. Pitts, was exhibited by Capt. Ben¬ 
jamin, of Winthrop. As this machine has formerly received 
a premium, we can only say that the construction of it mani¬ 
fested skill and faithfulness in the manufacturer. The merits 
of the machine are now well known and duly appreciated ; 
one hundred of them having been sold from one shop, in a 
comparatively short time.” 
In December 1839, the writer was one of a committee invi¬ 
ted to witness the operation of one of these machines; and for 
our report, I would refer the reader to page 82 of the 7th vol. 
of the Cultivator; and so thoroughly convinced was our 
chairman of its superiority, that he purchased one for his own 
use. 
In January following, we find in the Utica Observer, four 
certificates signed by six farmers who had employed and wit¬ 
nessed the operation of this machine in that vicinity for some 
days, who give it their unqualified approbation; and as evi¬ 
dence of their sincerity, two of the number purchased a ma¬ 
chine. 
We hear nothing more of this machine until August 1840, 
when Mr. Tucker, in the Cultivator of that month, says—“ We 
witnessed the operation of this machine last week, at the 
barn of Mr. Bennett, Watervliet, and its performance equaled 
our expectation; it is a great saving of labor over the ordinary 
thrashing machines. The operation of thrashing and clean¬ 
ing being performed at the same time; it has, wherever it has 
been put in operation, been received wdth the highest appro¬ 
bation; and was considered by the late Judge Buel, as the 
best adapted for its purpose, of any machine he had ever seen. 
It was at his suggesiion that Mr. Pitts removed to this city for 
the purpose of manufacturing his machines; Albany being, 
from its water communication to every part, one of the best 
locations for such a branch of manufacture.” 
In the 7th vol. and 11th number of the same paper, in a 
communication by R. Harmon, jr., where an allusion is made 
to one of these machine's exhibited at the fair at Rochester, 
he says,—“Mr. Pitts was present with one of his grain thrash- 
ers and cleaners, and he deserves the thanks of the wheat 
I growers of Western New-York for his perseverance in con¬ 
structing a thrasher and cleaner whereby grain can be thrash¬ 
ed and cleaned for a less sum than can be done with any ma¬ 
chine. that has yet been introduced.” 
At the Ontario County Fair held at Canandaigua last fall, 
the first premium was awarded to this machine, but I am in¬ 
formed was withheld on account of not having been manu¬ 
factured in the County. 
In 1839, this machine found its way into Maryland, and the 
account given of its operation by R. J. Jones, Esq. in the 
American Farmer, t published at Baltimore, almost exceeds 
credulity. Mr. Jones says,—“The machine got out in fifteen 
minutes, ten bushels white wheat, as clean as it could be done 
by passing it through the fan three times, if got out in the com¬ 
mon way. Since that period, I got out in 4f days 1,081 bush¬ 
els of wheat and 336 bushels oats. First day 204—2d day 249 
—3d day 206—4th day 252, and 5th day 173 bushels red wheat, 
weighing 66 lbs. by the steel-yards, which will be an average 
of abouf240 bushels per day. Some time was lost, too, by 
the breaking of the large band of the horse power. The wheat 
got out by this machine commanded three cents per bushel 
more than any other in market,” &c. 
I might go on and give other testimonials of its usefulness 
and reception in different sections, but I think enough ha3 
been said to satisfy any reasonable person, that it is a very 
Valuable and useful invention, and well worth the attention of 
the farmer who consults his own interest. 
I have seen these machines in operation, and managed by 
the farmers themselves, driven by two and by four horses; 
and in all cases, so far as I have any knowledge, it has given 
entire satisfaction. 
Some one may ask if I am so much in favor of these ma¬ 
chines, why I do not have one myself? In reply, I would 
say, that about five years ago I purchased one of Hale’s one 
horse power and thrashing machine, and so far as thrashing 
was concerned, it worked well, but then it took two hands 
nearly as long to clean the grain as it did to thrash it. For this 
reason I felt a great desire to have one of Pitt’s separating and 
fanning machines attached to my old thrasher; and after con¬ 
siderable persuasion, I finally succeeded in getting Mr. Pitts 
to undertake it, and am now happy to say he has succeeded 
beyond my most sanguine expectations. I can now say I 
have one of Pitts’ separators and fanning machines in success¬ 
ful operation ; and he is satisfied that he can adapt his sepa¬ 
rator to any common thrashing machine, and in such form that 
the straw carrier can be laid off from the fanning mill, and 
the fanner will be used in the common way if necessary. 
As regards the amount of grain that can be thrashed and 
cleaned in an hour or a day, with one of these machines, 
much depends on the kind, quality and situation of the grain, 
as well as the power applied. Those things should be taken 
into account in doing a great day’s work with any thrashing 
machine. I have seen certificates from Maine and Massa¬ 
chusetts, where they are extensively in use, which fully sus¬ 
tain me in the opinion often expressed, “ that this machine will 
thrash and clean in a day as much as the ordinary machines will 
thrash; each machine being propelled by the same number of 
horses .” 
Now, if I am correct, it is easy to see what would be gained 
by using one of these machines; but as some farmers seem 
to think the labor of fanning is of little consequence, it would 
be well for them to make a calculation. It should be under¬ 
stood, however, the labor of two hands is saved in the first 
operation, in addition to the labor of fanning. 
The only objection I have ever heard against this machine 
is the price, which is $150 without the horse power, and $250 
with the power. In calculating the difference in expense be¬ 
tween this and the other machines, the fanning mill should be 
taken into the account. 
In view of what has been said, it would seem that this mode 
of thrashing and cleaning grain will soon be adopted through¬ 
out this country; and I would therefore respectfully suggest 
to those who are having new thrashers made, to have the 
shafts at each end of the thrashing cylinder, of the same length, 
so that another pulley may be added ; and then they will be 
prepared to attach the separator and fanner, at any time they 
may think proper. 
One thing more; Pitt’s thrasher is calculated to turn one 
thousand times per minute. A horse on a ten foot lever, will 
go round three and an half times per minute. I mention this 
to show that when Pitt’s separator is attached to the common 
sweep power, it must give the thrasher no more than one 
thousand revolutions, while the horses are going round three 
and a half times; all above this is useless and unnecessary, 
and calculated to make the machine run hard. 
In conclusion, permit me to say, the improvements Mr. 
Pitts has lately made in the construction of his machine, car¬ 
ry it still nearer perfection, and give it additional claims to 
the patronage of the public. C. N. BEMENT. 
Ornamental Gardening-. 
Messrs. Editors— The article on Ornamental Gar¬ 
dening, which was given in a recent Cultivator, seems 
to have awakened some interest on the subject, and 
many applications have been made to me, some per¬ 
sonally and several by letter, for further information 
on particular points, especially respecting the artificial 
fountain and the sun dial. It appears to be a general 
desideratum to find where or how those articles can be 
obtained, and some would like to know the cost. I 
have no doubt that this will meet the eye, through the 
wide extended circulation of your little traveler, of 
some ingenious mechanic in Albany, New-York or else¬ 
where, who will furnish the articles in good taste, and 
at such prices as will accommodate both the purchaser 
and the manufacturer, and be a source of pleasure to 
the one and of profit to the other. I would particularly 
recommend the sun dial, as from the cheapness with 
which it could be constructed of cast iron or some other 
suitable material, it is natural to suppose no farmer 
would be without it. A. WALSH. 
The Weight of Six Hogs. 
Messrs. Gaylord Sc Tucker —I send you the weight 
of six half blood Berkshire pigs, which I have just 
sent to market. They were littered the 6th day of May 
last, and run through the summer with a lot of hogs 
(ten in number,) which had been wintered, and were 
fed only with them on slops and the whey from a dairy 
of twenty cows, with the addition cf about four quarts 
of cob meal each day to the whole lot. The 2lst of 
Dec., I commenced feeding them with cob. and oat meal 
and in about three weeks with corn and oat meal (about 
two thirds corn,) all they would eat, which was daily 
about one anl a half bushels. On the 22d of March ’ 
they were butchered and weighed, being ten months 
and fifteen days old, as follows : two 355 pounds 
each ; two 330 lbs. each ; one 345 lbs. ; one 281 lbs. • 
total 1,996 lbs.' Brimfidd, Mass. S. HOMER, Jr.' ’ 
