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Letter from the Country.

The Scioto in Summer – Steam Threshing Machine – Great Performance – New Work for Manufacturers – Great Farmers, and Great Crops

[Correspondence of the Cincinnati Daily Gazette]
Chillicothe, August 18, 1857

Having no time to visit the seashore, I have taken a few days to roam over the beautiful valley and hills of the Scioto. Looking from the hill-top over plains which extend for many miles, made rich and verdant with grain, and grass, and fruit, interspersed with towns and villas, it seems more lovely than ever. The Scioto winds below me, like a ribbon thrown on a meadow; the lazy canal is still there, while the shrill whistle of the locomotive is pronouncing its doom. I was surprised to find many canal boats here, and still more surprised to find that pig iron formed a large part of their freight. Iron is everywhere in demand, and the iron region below this, disperses its products in every direction. If you will look into the Cincinnati Table of Imports, you will find the iron trade increasing with immense rapidity, but notwithstanding the great consumption there, the canal boats are carrying large quantities of pig iron to the interior. I could give you some curious information on this subject; but at present, must defer it to a topic here of all engrossing interest. This is a wholly agricultural district, and while there is no great development either of commerce or manufactures, the crops will be the controlling element of business. Yesterday, I visited the beautiful farm of Dr. Watts, to see the performance of a Steam Threshing Machine. The idea was new to me, and is equally new to the public; for, I believe, it is only three years since the first one was made by Mr. Welsh of this place – I mean the engine, not the thresher. As I think the idea of steam machinery applied to agriculture is one of great importance, I shall describe this in detail.
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In the Agricultural Report for 1855, Gen. Worthington, President of the Board, says: "During the present year, a portable steam engine has been employed with profit to the owner, in threshing and separating grain, being the first ever used, so far as I know." This engine was built for M. H. Wade, by William Welsh, of Chillicothe. At present there are only six or eight of these engines made, and one has just been sent to Illinois; so that State will be indebted to Ohio for the first Steam Thresher, as it was for the first Mower. The farm of Dr. Watts was a very extensive one, and he has been one of the most efficient, and enterprising men of the State in encouraging, and introducing fine stock, and improved modes of agriculture. His Wheat fields cover this year three hundred and eighty-seven acres, which have produced some eight or ten thousand bushels of grain. This is an immense quantity to thresh, at one place, and hence he employs a steam engine. I found the threshing ground very much like a village of straw ricks, in the midst of which was a puffing engine, making the wheels of a machine fly, while men, horses, oxen, and wagons were kept busy supplying their wants. To give a practical idea of this performance, I will give the details of the force employed.

First, – The engine does the work of ten horses, at least.

Now, the engine cost $930, and the thresher, (made at Canton, Stark county,) cost $300. Ten horses would have cost rather more, so that the capital to start on is just about the same.

Second, – The men and animals employed were as follows: but recollect that only a part of them were attendant on the machine; but I give the whole force as it was in action.

One engineer.

Two men for water and wood.

Four men taking sheaves from the wagon, cutting bands, placing and feeding.

Seven Men and four wagons hauling wheat.

Three men measuring and bagging.

Two men, with horses and horee-rakes, taking away straw.