Obed Hussey Part 15

"I finished cutting my grain more than a week ago. The grain was not only blown as flat as possible, but was tangled and twisted together, and lying in every direction; so much so that it would have been impossible to cut a large portion of it with the cradle.

No one who saw the field believed the machine could possibly succeed.

"I take great pleasure in stating that its success was perfect and entire. It cut and gathered the grain in the very worst spots almost as well as that which was standing; and I was thus enabled to mow my crop in about one-half the time the _old fas.h.i.+oned_ method would have required, thereby effecting a large pecuniary gain. It cuts the gra.s.s as evenly and as close as the most expert mower. I need scarcely say that I am perfectly satisfied with it.

I subscribe myself yours, etc.,

"AQUILLA TABOT."

"Alexandria, Va., "12 mo., 11, 1852.

"It gives me much pleasure to state that I have had in use on my farm in Montgomery County, Md., for the past two seasons, one of 'Hussey's Reapers,' and its operation has given me _entire satisfaction in every respect_. It appears to combine the three qualities so important to the farmer, efficiency, durability and economy. I can, with great sincerity, recommend its general adoption.

"BENJAMIN HALLOWELL."

"_To Obed Hussey:_

"Dear Sir:--Having used one of your Reapers upon land, a great deal of which was hilly, stony and rough, I take pleasure in saying that it has given entire satisfaction, and proved to be a very durable, well built, and great labor saving machine.

"Respectfully,

"A. B. DAVIS."

"Greenwood, Mont. Co., Md., Dec. 20, 1852."

"Pickaway County, O., "July 1, 1851.

"I made an experiment this season in my field of testing the McCormick and Hussey Reapers. I tried each fairly and under similar circ.u.mstances. I am satisfied that Hussey's is decidedly the best Reaper, both as to cutting grain and durability. The objections made to Hussey's Reaper by agents and manufacturers of other machines I do not find, upon trial, to exist in any one particular.

"WM. STAGE."

"We, the undersigned, present at the trial, concur in Mr. Stage's statement: Z. Pritchett, John Reber, Philip Stuart, Isaac Stage, John Hogeland, Michael Eyer."

"Salem Tp., Champaign Co., O., "July, 1851.

"I have worked with McCormick and Hussey's Reapers three seasons, and unqualifiedly p.r.o.nounce Hussey's the best machine. It cuts cleaner and faster, and leaves the grain in better order on the ground; and this is the opinion of every hand in giving an expression of the comparative merits of the two machines.

"THOS. OUTRAM."

"Union Towns.h.i.+p, Champaign County, O., "July, 1851.

"I have for the past four seasons worked Hussey's Reaper, and unhesitatingly p.r.o.nounce it vastly superior to McCormick's or any other Reaper I have seen used.

"WILLIAM T. ZOMBRO."

"Salem Towns.h.i.+p, Champaign County, O., "July, 1851.

"I have had Hussey's Reaper used on my farm. It will cut 20 acres of the heaviest wheat per day, with ease. I consider it far superior to the McCormick Reaper.

"JOSHUA BUFFINGTON."

"Ross County, Ohio, "July, 1851.

"I have used Hussey's Reaper, and consider it an invaluable machine. I have seen McCormick's Reaper operate, and am of opinion that Hussey's is the best machine.

"D. M'CONNELL."

"Union Towns.h.i.+p, Champaign County, O., "August, 1851.

"I have used Hussey's Reaper for four years. I prefer it to every other machine. I do not have to drive fast, and the raking is the easiest work in the field.

"JOHN EARSOM."

"Salem Towns.h.i.+p, Champaign County, O., "August, 1851.

"I bought a Hussey Reaper this season, and it has given the best satisfaction. I cut wheat that was down as badly as any I ever saw. It operated well by driving in a slow walk. My hands would rather rake than bind.

"JOHN LEE."

"Union Towns.h.i.+p, Champaign County, O., "July, 1851.

"I have used for five years Hussey's Reaper. It is a labor and grain saving machine. It is a much better machine than McCormick's, in several particulars; it is more substantial, not so liable to injury, and will cut faster and cleaner. I cut this season, with three horses, sixteen acres of heavy wheat, in five hours and thirty minutes.

"REZIN C. WILSON."

"Bergen, "September 1, 1851.

"This is to certify that I have for three seasons used one of Hussey's Reaping Machines, which I purchased at the Genesee Seed Store, and that it gives perfect satisfaction. I have cut my wheat when it was very badly lodged, much faster, better and cheaper than it could have been done in any other way. I had one of McCormick's, but left it in the road, a useless article, as I consider it, having tried for three years to use it without success.

"I consider Hussey's machine just the thing for our farmers, and I could not now, after having proved its merits, be induced to be without one.

"NOAH WILSON."

With a few general remarks as to the reputation of Reaping Machines in England, and on the authority of the annexed English publications, we take leave of the subject.

At the trial for which the "Great Council Medal" was awarded, but which no practical farmer in this country would consider as any trial at all, being merely the attempt to cut a small s.p.a.ce in green and wet grain, and during the temporary absence of Hussey, his machine was operated by ignorant laborers of the "Chrystal Palace," and who had never before seen a reaping machine.

This did not satisfy the English farmers; complaints were soon heard of injustice, partiality, and unfairness. It compelled C. H. McCormick or his agents to offer a challenge, which was promptly accepted by Hussey; and before the Cleveland Agricultural Society a tolerably fair trial was had of the rival machines, though neither the grain nor ground was then in a suitable state. For the decision of twelve prominent men and practical farmers we refer to the annexed English account for the complete triumph of the unmedalled machine.