_Early Reaping-machines._--Have the former Numbers of "N. & Q." contained
an account of the invention of a reaping-machine in the last century,
similar in design and construction to the one lately invented in America? A
friend of mine has in his possession a work, entitled _The Complete Farmer,
or a General Dictionary of Husbandry_; containing the various methods of
improving the land, &c., together with great variety of new discoveries and
improvements, the 4th edition, by a society of gentlemen. There is no date
on the title-page; but from internal evidence, I am led to think that the
work was not published before 1780. If it be thought desirable, I shall be
happy to send an extract from the work, giving an account of the machine,
or, if drawings be admitted into the pages of "N. & Q.," the work might be
sent to the Editor.