"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 4½ 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 4½ feet in length.
"Carrolton, Lebanon Co., Ill.,
"Sept., 1850.
"Mr. O. Hussey: