Western Demand for Agricultural Implements.
Messrs. Editors:--I often think, on perusing your very valuable journal of science, and the numerous mechanical and scientific problems it unfolds, that the tendency of the age is to supersede all manual labor by machinery. Whether such a thing is possible is not the question for me to consider; I only know that the tendency of universal human genius seems directed to that end.
I make the above observation casually, in order to introduce a few ideas on the subject of improvement in agricultural implements--the great desideratum of the West at this moment. Here nature has opened her stores so munificently, that all the husbandman has to do is to plow, sow, and garner the fruits of his labor. But two great improvements are needed to enable the western farmer to keep pace with improvements in the mechanic arts and other kindred employment. Indeed, we at the West, particularly, need a good, cheap, steam plow that can be made practicable for at least the better grade of farmers. The English plan of moldboards, that overcome all possible traction and necessitate the duplex stationary engines, with the cumbrous "artillery of attachments," may do for sluggish people but will never meet the wants of the Yankee nation.
The steam plow suited to the genius of our people, must, to use a vulgarism, "get up and go." It must possess sufficient power of propulsion and traction to pulverize the ground better, deeper, and more rapidly than the "old way." Such is the want of the great West in reference to preparing the soil for crops. I do not know of such a machine in use, nor do I believe in the theory of Dr. Brainard, that the moldboard is the only plan for properly pulverizing the soil; for I am satisfied that such plan is wholly inadmissible in steam plowing in this country, for want of sufficient traction for self-propulsion, and observation has taught me that a self-propelling plow is the only steam plow our people will tolerate.
I have lately examined the drawings of a steam plow invented by a gentleman of this city (which I am not at liberty to explain in detail) that seems to meet the great want I have spoken of. The invention consists in a very simple device, by which the whole force of pulverizing the ground is applied to propel the machine, and if this be not sufficient, an independent force may be applied, so arranged as to govern the speed of the machine at the will of the operator. You will, no doubt, in due time hear more of this machine, which seems to me to meet the great want so long experienced in Western cultivation.
The next great want of the West is a practical grain binder, that shall securely bind the grain as cut. The scarcity and high price of labor renders such a machine an absolute necessity. The efforts to supply this great want have been numerous, but with no flattering success so far as I am able to learn, except the machine invented by a citizen of this place, which has already made its mark by demonstrating that automatic machinery can and does bind the grain as fast as cut. The machine I speak of is yet in a chrysalis state, so to speak, but it has been worked two years in the field, the last season without missing a bundle, though not without the usual difficulties of all new machines in respect to the workings of some parts--too weak, etc. It is believed that the coming harvest will witness its triumphant success. If so, the production of our staple cereal will be greatly cheapened. I shall be glad to renew "old acquaintance," by a more detailed statement hereafter.
I send enclosed the pay for another year of the SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, which I can no more do without than my accustomed dinner.
C.
Madison, Wis.