OBED HUSSEY, WHO, OF ALL INVENTORS, MADE BREAD CHEAP TEXT

intervals of about fifty yards by drains, known to us as _tap-ditches_, which cross the water furrows at right angles, and are cut from two to four inches deeper than the furrows themselves. I am particular in describing the land, as I had always supposed that an insuperable obstacle in the way of the regular action of any machine would be found in the irregularity of surface into which our land is necessarily thrown by our system of culture. The machine surmounted every anticipated difficulty, and was eminently successful, both in cutting lengthwise with the beds and across them. The wheat was cut in a most thorough manner; nothing escaped the cutting surfaces, nor did weeds or any other obstruction of the kind hinder the machine from doing its work perfectly. During the running of the machine one day in the harvest, seventeen acres of wheat were cut by it.[6] This was done by using relays of horses, four at each time, the same hands being employed, however, and the working time was twelve hours. After a heavy rain we were obliged to abandon the use of the machine, owing to the fact that the ground became so soft that the "road wheel" as it is termed, buried in the soil, and would become clogged with mud. This difficulty can, I have no doubt, be easily overcome by increasing the "tread" of this wheel, and making some slight alteration in the cog-wheel which gears into it. [6] When Mr. Hussey was with me I informed him that the piece of wheat cut by the machine on this occasion equalled twenty acres, but I have since discovered that I had been mistaken in my calculation of the acre. [Sidenote: A McCormick Failure] "Some two years since I saw an experiment made upon an adjoining estate with McCormick's machine; it cut occasionally well where the wheat was free from weeds, but any obstruction from that source would immediately choke it, when of course the wheat would be overrun without being cut. The experiment proved a failure, and the machine was laid aside. The blade in this machine appears to me to be too delicate in its cutting surface to succeed, except under the most favorable circumstances. Quite a number of McCormick's have been in use in this part of the country during the last two years, and to my inquiries concerning them I have received but one answer and that an unfavorable one. The few of Hussey's machines, on the contrary, that have been employed within my ken, have in each instance given entire satisfaction. I do not hesitate to say that when well managed, with a skilful hand at the rake, in dry wheat (I do not recommend it when the straw is wet), it will, as compared with _ordinary_ cutting, save per acre the _entire expense of reaping_, from the thorough manner in which every stalk is cut, thus preventing loss or waste. "Believing, as I do, that a great desideratum to those who grow wheat upon a large scale, is to be found in Mr. Hussey's reaper, I cannot but wish that both he and they may _reap_ the benefit of its general adoption. "I am, sir, "Very respectfully your ob't serv't, "JOSIAH COLLINS." "Edenton, N. C., "January 25th, 1848. "_To the Editor of the American Farmer:_ "Dear Sir:--Some months ago I received a letter from you, making enquiries of me relative to Hussey's Reaping Machine. When your letter reached me I was on the eve of leaving home for the summer, and since my return home, my engagements have been of such a character as to cause me until the present to neglect replying to it. "I have used one of Hussey's machines one season, and though under circumstances not very favorable for the machine, I take pleasure in stating that its operation was satisfactory. During my harvest, which was about three weeks' duration, this machine was kept constantly at work, with the exception of a day and a half, yet I did not ascertain how many acres it would reap. Mr. Collins, of Lake Scuppernong also used one last season, and from him I learned that he cut upwards of twenty acres a day. "There is certainly much less wheat left in the field by one of these machines than is by the ordinary method of reaping by the scythe or reap hook; it cuts close, lays the straw smoothly, thus rendering tying of it in sheaves much easier. "I have witnessed McCormick's, which I consider _a poor affair_, and _meriting no consideration_ except a dissent from me. Many of this last kind of reaper found their way here a few years ago; they now, or rather their remains, may be seen lying in the field whence they will never be removed. "THOS. D. WARREN." [Illustration: Modern Rear-Delivery Reaper. (From "Who Invented the Reaper?" by R. B. Swift.)] From the Richmond Planter. HUSSEY'S AND M'CORMICK'S REAPERS "It is very painful to be compelled to inflict a private injury in the discharge of a public duty; upon a particular system of cultivation we can talk and write without restraint; but when we are called on to discuss the merits of an invention, upon which the fortunes of the originator may absolutely depend, it is a much more responsible and delicate office. We are aware, too, that in introducing a subject of the kind, we are opening the floodgates of a controversy that is often hard to close; we have had the strongest evidence of that fact in the controversy that once occurred in this paper between Messrs. McCormick and Hussey, and yet it is to the relative merits of the reaping machines of these two gentlemen that we are compelled again to draw the public attention. Probably not less than fifteen thousand dollars has been spent in Virginia this summer for reaping machines, and it becomes a subject of great importance to the wheat growing community at least, to ascertain how such a sum is annually to be dispensed to the greatest advantage. We shall express no _opinion_ ourself in the discussion which must necessarily follow the introduction of this subject, and we would greatly prefer that neither of the gentlemen more particularly interested in the subject would appear in our columns. We will publish statements of facts for either, provided they are made over responsible names, and are short and permanent. As one of these facts we feel bound to state that we acted this year as the agent for McCormick's machine, and we have heard great complaint of the manner in which it was gotten up; but it is but fair also to state, that we believe Mr. McCormick himself has been superintending the manufacture of his machine in the State of New York, and that probably his work has not been as well done as it would have been could he have seen to it in person. The following communication is altogether in favor of Hussey's machine: [Sidenote: Hussey's Machine "Vastly Superior"] "I have had in operation on my plantation this year both Hussey's and McCormick's reapers. Now, as you have asked me to furnish the _Planter_ with the result of my own experience and opinion as to the comparative merit of the two machines, it is now at your service. I have had them both in operation (as the weather would permit) for the last fortnight, and have cut with the two rather upwards of two hundred acres of wheat. Both machines have been, I think, very fairly tested in all qualities of grain, from wheat five feet and more in height, both standing up, and lodged and tangled, and averaging, as is supposed, from thirty and forty bushels, down to light, thin wheat, not averaging more than four bushels (being some galled hills) and I am _candidly_ and _decidedly_ of opinion that Hussey's machine is _vastly superior_. I deem it superior, not only in the execution of its work, but in the durability of the machine. So well pleased am I with its performance that I have ordered another machine of Hussey's for my next harvest, and also one, and probably two, for my father's plantation. I consider this machine invaluable to the grower of wheat, and would recommend every farmer who grows even fifty acres of wheat, to purchase one. He may rest assured that he will be pleased with his purchase. I shall probably be in Richmond shortly. "Yours very respectfully, "T. POLLOCK BURGUYN. "Occonichee Wigwam, near Halifax, N. C., "June 20, 1846. "For 1849 and 1850 we will return and see how the invention progresses on the broad prairies and fertile lands of the West, where it first operated--in 1833 and 1834--and where, too, although the most luxuriant crops are _grown_ with comparatively but little labor, it would in many cases be next to impossible to save _them_ without the aid of this invaluable invention. "These certificates embrace the mowing of large crops of grass as well as grain, and in addition, the cutting of more than three hundred acres of _hemp_ in the harvest of 1849 and 1850, by 'the same single machine.' "Hussey's complete success in cutting grass and hemp was no new thing ten years ago; but we suppose, like the grain cutting, in the view of Philip Pusey, Esq., M. P., 'Its _perfection_ depended on its being _new_ only in England,' full eighteen years after it was effected in America. [Sidenote: A General Opinion] "Blackberry, Kane County, Ill., "August 28, 1849. "This may certify that I have had one of Mr. Hussey's mowing and reaping machines on my farm this year cutting wheat, oats, and grass for a short time. I think nothing can beat it cutting timothy grass, and I intend to purchase one for that purpose. While the machine was cutting prairie grass in my field, I cut off a dry poplar stake, one inch in diameter, which had been sticking in the ground after it had been laid off for a ditch. I am of the opinion that it will cut wheat well, where it is so much lodged, or so foul with stiff weeds or corn stalks that it cannot be cut with any other machine I have seen in this country. Some of my neighbors say that they intend to have Mr. Hussey's reaper in preference to any other; and from what I can learn this opinion is pretty general in my neighborhood amongst those who have seen this machine work, and are acquainted with other machines. My brother farmers have had great trouble with McCormick's machine, by the breaking of sickles, and the great difficulty or rather the impossibility of getting them repaired, or getting new ones made when broken, whereas the blades of Mr. Hussey's machine can be made by any common blacksmith. I have no doubt but Mr. Hussey's machine will come into general use. "D. W. ANNIS." "Franklin Precinct, DeKalb Co., "August 13, 1849. "This may certify that we have seen Mr. O. Hussey's machine cut about an acre of wheat, so badly lodged that McCormick's reaper could do nothing with it, nor could it be cradled. Said Hussey's machine cut it handsomely, and laid it in very good bundles for binding. "JOHN SCHOOMAKER, ALBERT FIELD, JOHN M. SCHOOMAKER, DANIEL MILLER, ALBERT FIELD, JR., ISAAC CRILL, JOHN MILLER." "Berkshire, Kane County, Ill., "August 6, 1849. "We, the undersigned, having seen Mr. Hussey's reaper work at cutting grass and grain, think it preferable to McCormick's or any other machine that we have seen. It cut wheat that could not be cut with McCormick's reaper or a cradle. We are well acquainted with McCormick's machine. "P. A. HIXBY, JOHN GRIGGS, JR., JOHN GRIGGS, HARRY POTTER, JOHN SHIRWOOD, SETH SHIRWOOD, DAVID SHANKS, ABRAHAM SHIRWOOD, JAMES HESS, ALSON BANKER, D. C. WRIGHT, ELISHA WRIGHT." "Oswego, Ill., "August 2, 1849. "This may certify that I cut a lot of Black Sea Wheat with Mr. O. Hussey's Reaper; the wheat was so badly lodged that no McCormick Reaper or Cradle could cut it; Mr. Hussey's Reaper cut it clean and laid the bundles out of the track in good order for binding. I have seen the work done by this machine in grass; it was as good work as ever I saw done by a scythe, or better. For my choice I should rather have my grass cut by the Reaper than by the scythe. Every farmer ought to have such a machine, and every farmer I hear talk about it says the same. "PHILIP YOUNG." "Sugar Grove, "August 8, 1849. "This may certify that we have seen Mr. O. Hussey's machine operate in clean grain, and where weeds were very tall, large and thick. In the former, it operated as well as any machine we have seen; in the latter, it worked to a charm, even where it was impracticable to cut with one of McCormick's Reapers. "HARRY WHITE, L. B. SNOW, CHAUNCEY SNOW, SULLIVAN DORR, HIRAM TUBS, DWIGHT SPENCER, SAMUEL WARD, A. LOGAN." "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 machine 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 if I had had one ten years ago I would now feel like a much younger man; and cheerfully 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 SIMMS, "Four miles west of Springfield, Ill." "Utica, Lasal Co., Ill., "Dec. 14, 1850. "_Obed Hussey, Esq.:_ "Dear Sir:--I received your Reaping and Mowing Machine in time for harvest, and used it for harvesting 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 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 any other, is, after you have cut your different kinds of grain, fully as well as can be done with 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 closer and cleaner than can be done with a scythe. With proper care, your machines will last fifteen or twenty years, with trifling repairs. "Respectfully yours, JAMES CLARK." "Island Grove, Sangamon Co., Ill., "December 25, 1850. "_Mr. Obed Hussey, Baltimore, Md.:_ "Dear Sir:--Last summer I received two of Hussey's Mowing and Reaping 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 some difficulty succeeded in cutting about two hundred acres of wheat and grass. The 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. James D. Smith, of Island Grove, have it, who cut about three hundred acres of grass with it, the machine giving perfect satisfaction. "Very respectfully yours, "EDWARD J. ENO." "Carrolton, Green Co., 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 cloverseed with it in less than five days. I could not have saved the cloverseed without the machine, so I consider I saved the whole cost of the machine in the saving of the cloverseed 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 Hemp, using a set of 4-1/2 feet knives and guards, 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 6 foot guides and knives,[7] operated by the same force, cut successfully 250 acres of hemp, or from 10 to 12 acres per day. From this experience, I take pleasure in recommending your Cutters above the hemp cradle and hook, not only as 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." [7] The cutters were lengthened by removing a board that previously reduced the cutting space to 4-1/2 feet in length. "Carrolton, Lebanon Co., Ill., "Sept., 1850. "_Mr. O. Hussey:_ "The four Reaping and Mowing Machines you sent arrived safe and in good order. Their performance far exceeded our expectations, the work went on so smoothly that we scarcely knew it was hay time and harvest. * * * If your machine had been as well known as they are now, you could have sold twenty as well as one. "Yours, "JONAS WARD." The few letters which follow, taken from the _American Farmer_, and referring to a still later period, are selected for their brevity, from many others, and principally from Maryland and Ohio. It is considered unnecessary to extend the list, for the operation and character of the machine is too well and too widely known at this day to render it necessary to the intelligent farmer and general reader, in any grain growing section of the country.[8] [8] With the view of determining as far as possible which was the best Reaping and Mowing Machines for the farmer to purchase, the Maryland State Agricultural Society in 1852 offered a prize of one hundred dollars--the largest yet offered in the country--for the best machine, to be tested by a committee appointed by the Society; a large committee of men of the first standing in the State, and all large wheat growers, was appointed, and extended notice published of the trial to take place at "Wye," the seat of Col. Edward Lloyd, Eastern Shore, Md., in July. Every effort was made by the Society and Committee to give a fair and satisfactory trial; as the extent of crops in that fine wheat growing region, and extensive level face of the country, are unsurpassed anywhere for such an exhibition. But two machines were entered for competition, McKeever's and Hussey's. The prize was awarded unanimously to Hussey. Why no others could be induced to attend was a matter of surprize at the time, and so remains with many. "Harewood, "12mo., 8, 1852. "Having used one of O. Hussey's Reaping and Mowing Machines during the last harvest (1852) I can state that in cutting wheat, oats and cloverseed--also in mowing my crop of grass--it has fully answered my expectations, doing the work better than I ever had it done by the scythe, and at much less expense. The machine has been tested by cutting some fifty to sixty acres of grass--quite sufficient to prove its complete adaptation to mowing as well as reaping. "EDWARD STABLER." "Wye House,