Part 20

"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, 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."

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.

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, "Dec. 20, 1852.

"Dear Sir:--Having worked your Reaper for many years I have fully tested its merits. It has proved itself to be not only a wheat saving implement but a labor and time saving one--these are all important to the farmer.

"It does its work completely, regardless of the position of the wheat, if in condition to bind.

"Those you sent me in the spring worked well through the harvest, and proved their strength.

"Yours respectfully,

"EDW'D LLOYD."

"Oxford, Md., "Dec. 8, 1852.

"Mr. Obed Hussey:

"Sir:--I have used your Reaper with such entire satisfaction that I am but performing a duty to my brother farmers by recommending it in the strongest terms.

"For sixteen years I have used a Reaping Machine, and know from experience that the most important qualities are strength and simplicity. In these respects your machine is superior to any other, and is the only one I have seen which can be safely entrusted to the management of ordinary overseers, with negro laborers.

"Yours, etc.,

"TENCH TILGHMAN."