s and
Knives--was precisely identical with those used by him at the present
day, except an improvement patented in 1847, leaving openings at the
back end of the slot in the guards for the escape of particles of straw
or grass that might get in between the blades and guards.

It was communicated at the time by letter with a diagram to a personal
friend now living, and of the highest respectability, from whom we have
a certificate, and copy of the drawing. The knives or cutters, for lack
of more suitable materials were made out of hand saw blades cut into
suitable form, and riveted to a bar, vibrating through an opening or
slot in the guards.

[Sidenote: An Early Experiment]

Judge Foster, residing within a few miles of the city, and to whom he
applied, kindly offered him every facility to test the machine by cutting
grain, ripe and unripe, being himself greatly interested in its success.
When taken to the field, a considerable number of persons were attracted
to the spot; and rather to the discomfiture of the inventor, for it may
well be supposed it was an anxious moment to him, and he desired _no
witnesses to his failure_. The machine was started; but owing to some
part giving away, or some slight defect not apparent until then, it
failed to work satisfactorily. One burley fellow present picked up a
cradle, and, swinging it with an air of great exultation, exclaimed,
"this is the machine to cut the wheat!"

After the jeers and merriment of the crowd had somewhat subsided, the
inventor remedied the defect, and assisted by the laborers present--the
horses having been removed--pulled the machine to the top of an adjacent
hill; when alone, he drew the machine down the hill, and through the
standing grain, when it cut every head clean in its track!

The _same_ machine was directly afterwards exhibited before the Hamilton
County Agricultural Society near Carthage, on the 2nd of July, 1833. Of
its operation and success, the following statements, and certificates,
now in our possession, sufficiently testify. Doctor Wallace as well as
some others of the gentlemen, are living witnesses of what is here
stated.

[Sidenote: Wallace Testimonial]

Cincinnati, November 20th, 1833.

This may certify that I was present on the 2nd day of July near
Carthage, in this county, at an experimental trial with a machine
invented by Mr. Obed Hussey for cutting grain. The operation was
performed on a field of wheat. Th