MISCELLANEOUS AGRICULTURAL MACHINES.
is fodder preserved in a silo or pit or in an air-tight structure above ground. The process is analogous to that by which fruits, meats, vegetables, etc., are preserved in cans. In the United States in ISSo there were only six silos and in England only four, while in the former country they had increased in 1885 to nearly two thousand and in the latter to eleven hundred and eighty-three. These have dem onstrated that it is practicable to store corn, millet, clover, etc., in a moist but sound and sweet condition for use at any subsequent time. Indian corn, the principal plant used for ensilage, requires cutting into nieces from an inch to r inch in length. Figure 7 represents an ensilage-cutter with four knives. The capacity of the machine is increased by a change in the movement of the feed-rollers and by enlarging the throat of the cutter. By special mechanism the cutter operates a carrier or elevator for the delivery of the ensilage to the above-ground silo.
The illustrated in Figure II, consists of two large drive wheels with adjustable grabs for holding the power in soft ground; these wheels operate an endless chain with elevators attached and combined with a grate-bar, which has a continuous jarring motion. The point or shear is a broad, highly tempered, polished steel plate. On each side are revolving knives, which cut the vines and weeds and prevent clogging. Directly over the elevator is the driver's seat, with operating-lever in front, for lifting the shear out of the ground at the ends of the furrows or for raising it over obstructions. The basket, which holds about a bushel, can be used when the soil is free from lumps and weeds, and is dumped by the driver without stopping; it leaves the potatoes in piles; or by using the rear grate they can be left directly behind the machine or at one side in rows.
hay is to be shipped long distances, it must be baled that it may be handled with ease and transported with safety. For this purpose there is employed powerful compressing machinery, of which Figure To (pi. 6o) is an example. This machine is double acting—that is, a charge of hay is fed into it at each turn of the horse, which travels back and forth on less than half a circle. As the bales are made and tied they are discharged through the open bale-chamber without stopping the machine. Its compound power is effected by three links, which connect the power-head to the pitman. The knuckle-arms are each of one piece,
and both the arms and the power-head have bearing surfaces on separate shafts and extend from the lower to the upper frame. The extended pit man gives the plunger a long in-stroke and a fast travel at the start, while the material in front of the power-head is in a loose condition. As the hay becomes compact the power increases proportionally until the pitman passes the centre. By the compound lever-power of this press the team has a leverage of 132 : that is, if a horse pulls woo pounds, a pressure of 132,000 pounds is placed on the material when the pitman is drawn over the centre, thereby insuring bales of great density.
The (, g. 8), a cart provided with a tongue, to connect it with the forward wheels of any farm-wagon, has a movable bottom sim ilar to the travelling-bed of the tread-power described on page 188. As the cart advances this bottom moves slowly and carries the manure toward the rear, where it is caught by the teeth of a swiftly-revolving cylinder, torn into fragments, and scattered on the ground. The operating mechanism is actuated by the cart-wheels by gearing. The machine is used for spread ing broadcast every kind of manure, lime, ashes, marl, etc., in any desired quantity. Any concentrated fertilizer may be easily mixed with the manure by placing it on the top of the load, and the quantity of fertilizer required for each acre may be accurately regulated.
Conchtsion.—The agricultural implements herein depicted and described are exclusively of American manufacture. The superiority of these ma chines is evidenced by the fact that they are fast being introduced into nearly all the countries of the world, the total value of the exportations from 1864 to 1884, inclusive, being " It may be well to premise that we do not import agricultural imple ments, for two reasons: (I) European implements are not wanted by our farmers, and would not generally be used could they be obtained at half price. As a rule, they are too cumbrous and clumsy, requiring too much power and accomplishing their work too slowly. (2) American machines are better adapted to specific uses, without unnecessary strength and weight, as our timber is tougher and stronger in to weight, their supe riority giving them a market in all parts of the world " (Special Report No. 56, U. S. Department of Agriculture).