The erstwhile Scotch student, when working behind closed doors on the little farm worked by his father, though inspired by high hopes, little dreamed that he was in any measure laying the foundation for greater results, and few, at the present day, know that one of the most essential elements of the modern self binding harvester was reduced to practice by that youth who as the Rev. Patrick Bell administered to the spiritual wants of the members of a little flock in Scotland for many years.

Two machines, at least, were brought to America, but not until American reapers had been perfected to such an extent as to meet all of the requirements.

Bell's machine was pushed before the horses, as modern headers are. Its reel was supported by forwardly reaching arms as now; it had dividers and all essential elements, the only faulty one being the cutting apparatus.

The story of his efforts, as told by himself, is interesting. The facts pertaining to the construction of his machine may be found in, cyclopedias and in court proceedings. Although America is considered the cradle of this art, we must bow to Bell and others and claim only that which we have accomplished, founded upon the information and machines they left.

In the fishing village of Nantucket, on the island of that name, of Quaker parents, a boy first saw light who later became famous because of his inventive talent. In that little village the whaling industry, upon which success in life depended, was extensively carried on. Like other boys the lad, Obed Hussey, took to the sea, but tiring, turned his attention to a machine for reaping grain. He made a model of the machine, and in 1832-1833 constructed a machine which he operated in the harvest fields near Cincinnati, Ohio. He "builded better than he knew," for his cutting apparatus sings his praise in the harvest fields of every continent, and will probably do so until man ceases to exist. It has been modified in various ways, but no material improvement has been made since it left his hands.

His machine was a combined reaper and mower. He placed his gearing carriage upon two wheels, — not a mowing machine of the present day is constructed otherwise. He jointed his cutting apparatus to the supporting frame in order that the machine might conform to irregularities of the surface of the ground. Again it may be said not a mowing machine of today is constructed otherwise. In order to adapt his machine to cutting grain, a detachable grain receiving platform was applied, and a stand for a raker as well. As "manual delivery reapers" thousands of such machines are made, in America and sent to Europe, where the self-binding harvester has not yet won its way.

These four things were new:

His cutting device;
His raker's stand;
The cutting apparatus jointed to the gearing carriage; and the Detachable grain receiving platform. Limiting our inquiry to hand raking reapers it is proper to say that this was the culmination.

No reaper has ever been made since that time that did not have these elements arranged as he had combined them. In the face of historical facts, court decisions and patent office records, printers ink will be wasted in vain in any attempts to win the laurels from the modest Quaker.

The necessities that called for these machines were the result of the high hopes of the pioneers of the West, who, finding natural garden spots of dimensions greater than the scope of the eye, plowed and sowed more than they could reap, — more than labor could there be found to reap. Naturally, then, the first practical machines of America were invented where the great Western fields, which, in their ripeness, inspired inventors.