that time seeking to have made
in Cincinnati. Also it was agreed between said Hussey and Foster that
when said reaper had been made and tested to their satisfaction in the
standing grains, his sons, Algernon and brother (whose name I do not
remember) would pay all costs of making said reaper and put the same in
use to best of their ability."

I quote from the book entitled "Valley of the Upper Wabash, Indiana,"
published by Henry Ellsworth in 1838:

"Another material reduction of the expense attending the cultivation of
hay and other crops will be found in the use of some of the mowing and
reaping machines recently invented.

[Sidenote: Editorial Comment]

"A machine of this description, invented by Mr. Obed Hussey, of Cambridge,
Maryland, has of late excited general admiration, from the neatness and
rapidity of its execution, and the great amount of labor which its use
will save. Its introduction on large farms, of the description we have
mentioned, will undoubtedly be followed by remarkable results. These
machines, when in good order (and they seldom need repair), can cut from
twelve to fifteen acres of grass, and from fifteen to twenty acres of
wheat, daily.

"The following letter from John Stonebraker, Esq., of Hagerstown,
Maryland, will exhibit his experience in the use of this machine.

"He was induced (as the writer knows from personal communication with
him on the subject) to try it from the representations of others, and
with many misgivings as to the result. That trial, however, has
satisfied him and with him, many of his neighbors, of the great utility
of the machine.

"The letter is as follows:

"'Hagerstown, August 15, 1837.

"'Dear Sir: Will you please give this a place in your paper,
for the benefit of wheat growers. As the subject is of public
interest, it is hoped that other papers will circulate it through
the grain growing districts of the country.

[Sidenote: A Hussey Testimonial]

"'I procured a reaping machine this summer of Mr. Hussey, the
inventor, which I have used through my wheat harvest. It was in
constant use every day, and performed its work to my satisfaction,
and far better than I had any expectation of when I first engaged
it of Mr. Hussey. When the ground is clear of rocks, loose stones,
stumps, etc., and the grain stands well, it cuts it perfectly
clear, taking every head; and, if well managed, scatters none, but
leave