Wisconsin State Agricultural Society. 181 
in relation to the effect that was had upon the Western Farmer by 
secret organizations. T want to say very frankly and fully, that I 
do not think that any degree of failure which that paper met with 
is due to any secret organization among farmers. So far as I know, 
I never knew of but one man who ceased to take it because he was 
or was not a Granger. But I think it is due to an incorrect im¬ 
pression which got out in regard to that particular point. 
COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES 
OF MACHINERY IN AGRICULTURE. 
BY E. H. BEjSTOST, LEROY. 
In this essa}~ w r e design to treat mainly of such implements as 
are of comparatively recent inventions, and mainly such as are 
operated by steam or horse power; making a practical distinction 
between a grain cradle and a reaper, mower or harvester, a hand 
hoe and a sulky cultivator, the common needle and a sewing ma¬ 
chine, the paring of an apple by a common knife or by a lightning 
purer, corer and slicer, or planting potatoes with a common hoe, or 
with a True’s Potatoe-Planter, which cuts, makes the furrow, 
drops, fertilizes and covers, all complete in one operation. We 
make a still further distinction between those on which the opera¬ 
tor rides and those where he walks—designating those on which he 
rides as first class and others as second class. This division is for 
convenience and not as an opinion relating to their comparative 
utility, simply remarking that we consider the highest aim in the 
construction of farm-machinery should be to get the operator on a 
seat combining comfort and ease of operation, to conform to chang¬ 
ing conditions, and at the same time have perfect control of all its 
operating parts. Neither shall w T e confine ourselves to the pecu¬ 
niary results involved, but include the whole range of social condi¬ 
tion involved in the terms political economy and mental and moral 
culture. 
The most obvious advantage to be derived from the use of ma¬ 
chinery is, the greater amount of work which can be accomplished 
