,,contributions ,,f ,,! ,,museum ,,( ,,hi/ory ,,& ,,te*nology3 ,,pap] #b ,,john ,,de]e',s ,,/eel ,,pl[ ,edw>d ,c4 ,k5dall ,,de]e ,,& ,,&rus #ag ,,! ,,fir/ ,,pl[ #ai ,,/eel ,,or ,,iron #ba ,,:y ,a ,,/eel ,,pl[ #bc ,,recon/ructions #bd ,,9 ,,summ>y-- #be ,by ,edw>d ,c4 ,k5dall ,,john ,,de]e',s ,,/eel ,,pl[ ,john ,de]e 9 #ahcg inv5t$ a pl[ t c\ld be us$ successfully 9 ! /icky1 root-fill$ soil ( ! prairie4 ,x 0 call$ a /eel pl[4 ,actually1 x appe>s t only ! cutt+ edge1 ! %>e1 on ! fir/ ,de]e pl[s 0 /eel4 ,! moldbo>d 0 smoo?ly gr\nd wr\ght iron4 ,de]e's inv5tion succe$$ because1 z ! durable /eel %>e ( ! pl[ cut ?r\gh ! heavy e>?1 ! /icky soil c\ld f9d no place to cl+ on its poli%$ surfaces4 ,am]icans mov+ we/w>d 9 ! beg9n+ ( ! #ai? c5tury soon enc\nt]$ ! prairie l&s ( :at we n[ call ! ,middle ,we/4 ,! d>k f]tile soils promis$ great rew>ds to ! f>m]s settl+ 9 ^! regions1 b also pos$ c]ta9 problems4 ,fir/ 0 ! break+ ( ! t\gh prairie sod4 ,! naturali/ ,john ,muir describes ! conditions fac+ prairie f>m]s :5 he 0 a boy 9 ! e>ly #ahej's z he tells ( ! use ( ! big prairie-break+ pl[s 9 ! foll[+ words3#a ,!y 7 us$ only = ! fir/ pl\gh+1 9 break+ up ! wild sod wov5 into a t\gh mass1 *iefly by ! cord-l roots ( p]5nial grasses1 re9=c$ by ! tap roots ( oak & hickory bu%es1 call$ grubs1 "s ( :i* 7 m ?an a c5tury old & f\r or five in*es 9 diamet]4444 ,if 9 good trim1 ! pl\gh cut ?r\gh & turn$ ov] ^! grubs z if ! c5tury-old wood 7 s(t l ! fle% ( c>rots & turnips2 b if n 9 good trim ! grubs promptly toss$ ! pl\gh out ( ! gr\nd4 ,! second & great] problem 0 t ! ri*] l&s ( ! prairie bottoms1 aft] a few ye>s ( cont9u\s cultivation1 became s /icky t !y clogg$ ! moldbo>ds ( ! pl[s4 ,clogg+ 0 su* a factor 9 prairie pl[+ t f>m]s 9 ^! regions c>ri$ a wood5 paddle solely = clean+ (f ! moldbo>d1 a task :i* _h to be repeat$ s frequ5tly t x s]i\sly int]f]$ ) pl[+ effici5cy4 ,x seems probable t by ! #ahcj's blacksmi?s 9 ! prairie c\ntry 7 beg9n+ to solve ! problem ( cont9u\s cultivation ( /icky prairie soil by nail+ /rips ( saw /eel to ! face ( wood5 moldbo>d ( ! traditional pl[s4 ,figure #a is a photograph ( an #ah? c5tury ,new ,engl& pl[ 9 ! collection ( ! ,u4 ,s4 ,national ,museum4 ,?is is "o type ( pl[ :i* 0 br\ght we/ by ! settl]s4 ,x contribut$ to ! developm5t ( ! prairie break] %[n 9 figure #b4 ,! fir/ pl[ on record ) /rips ( /eel on ! moldbo>d is attribut$ to ,john ,lane 9 ,*icago 9 #ahcc4b ,/eel pres5t$ a smoo!r surface :i* %$ ! /icky loam bett] ?an ! conv5tional wood5 moldbo>ds cov]$ ) wr\ght iron1 or ! ca/ iron moldbo>ds ( ! new] factory-made pl[s !n com+ into use4 ,x is g5]ally accept$ z hi/orical fact t ,john ,de]e made 8 fir/ /eel pl[ 9 #ahcg at ,gr& ,det\r1 ,ill9ois4 ,! details ( ! con/ruction ( ?is pl[ h be5 v>i\sly giv5 by diff]5t writ]s4 ,ardrey#c & ,davidson#d describe ,de]e's orig9al pl[ z hav+ a wood5 moldbo>d cov]$ ) /rips ( /eel cut f a saw1 9 ! mann] ( ! ,john ,lane pl[4 ,sideb>3 ,,! ,,au?or3 ,edw>d ,c4 ,k5dall is curator ( agriculture1 ,museum ( ,hi/ory & ,te*nology1 9 ! ,smi?sonian ,in/itution's ,unit$ ,/ates ,national ,museum4 ,9 rec5t ye>s ! #ahcg ,de]e pl[ has be5 pictur$ q diff]5tly4 ,?is has app>5tly come ab\t z ! result ( ! discov]y ( an old pl[ id5tifi$ z "o made by ,john ,de]e at ,gr& ,det\r 9 #ahch & sold to ,joseph ,bri]ton f ^: f>m x 0 obta9$ 9 #aija by ! mak]'s son1 ,*>les ,h4 ,de]e4 ,he br\ght x to ! (fice ( ,de]e ,company at ,mol9e1 ,ill9ois1 = pres]vation & display4 ,?is pl[ is %[n 9 figures #g & #i4 ,9 #aich ,de]e ,company pres5t$ x to ! ,u4 ,s4 ,national ,museum1 :]e x is on display4 ,x c be se5 t ! moldbo>d is made ( "o curv$ diamond-%ap$ metal slab4 ,?is pl[ bottom con=ms to ! description ( ! diamond pl[s manufactur$ by ,de]e 9 ! #ahdj's4#e ,! ,company /ates t accord+ to its records1 ?is 0 "o ( ?ree pl[s made by ,de]e 9 #ahch & t x 0 probably sub/antially id5tical ) ! fir/ "o made 9 #ahcg4f ,x may be difficult to prove t ! ,museum's specim5 0 made 9 #ahch1 b a comp>ison ( ?is pl[ 7fig4 #g7 ) ! #ahdg moldbo>d 7fig4 #e7 & ! #ahee pl[ 7fig4 #f7 sugge/s t ! ,museum's pl[ is ! e>lie/ ( ! ?ree1 s9ce !re is p>ticul>ly evid5t an evolution ( ! %ape ( ! moldbo>d f a simple1 almo/ crude =m to a m sophi/icat$ %ape4 ,illu/ration3 ,figure #a4--,,new ,,engl& ,,/rong ,,pl[1 ,,mid-#ah,,? ,,c5tury4 ,colt] lock$ into heavy1 broad %>e2 wood5 moldbo>d cov]$ ) iron /rips4 7,cat4 no4 ,f#ajia2 ,smi?sonian photo #acbad47 ,,de]e ,,& ,,&rus ,writ]s ( ! #bj? c5tury describ+ ! mak+ ( ! fir/ ,john ,de]e /eel pl[ h 9 m9d ! #ahch pl[4 ,"o#g has ,john ,de]e pond]+ ! local pl[+ problem & gett+ an idea f ! poli%$ surface ( a brok5 /eel mill saw4 ,ano!r#h claims t ,leon>d ,&rus1 ! f\nd] & lead+ figure ( ,gr& ,det\r & "p own] ( ! sawmill1 conceiv$ ! design ( ! pl[ & employ$ ,de]e1 ! blacksmi? newly arriv$ f ,v]mont1 to build x4 ,?is idea may h orig9at$ ) & 0 c]ta9ly promot$ by ! late ,fr$ ,a4 ,wirt1 z adv]tis+ manag] ( ! ,j4 ,i4 ,case ,company4 ,x is difficult1 at ?is di/ance1 to det]m9e ! p>ts play$ at ! beg9n+ by ,de]e & ,&rus4 ,illu/ration3 ,figure #b4--,,l>ge ,,prairie-,,break+ ,,pl[1 ,,mid-#ai,,? ,,c5tury4 ,:eels und]nea? ! beam regulate ! dep? ( pl[+2 l>ge :eel runs 9 ! furr[1 small :eel on ! l&4 ,! colt] is brac$ at ! bottom z well z at ! top4 ,! %>e cuts a broad1 %all[ /rip ( sod :i* ! long1 g5tly curv+ moldbo>d turns ov] unbrok54 ,! e>lie/ exi/+ p>tn]%ip agreem5t involv+ ,&rus & ,de]e is dat$ ,m>* #bj1 #ahdc4i ,! exi/+ copy is unsign$1 b its conditions are ! same z ^? 9 ! agreem5ts execut$ dur+ ! next few ye>s4 ,x began by /at+ t ,de]e & ,&rus _h agre$ to become cop>tn]s toge!r 9 ! art & trade ( ,blacksmi?+1 pl\ghmak+ & all ?+s !reto belong+ at ! said ,gr& ,det\r1 & all o!r bus9ess t ! said p>ties may h]eaft] deem necess>y = _! mutual int]e/ & b5efit 444 ,"o ( ! t]ms 0 t ! cop>tn]%ip %\ld cont9ue f ! date ( ! agreem5t "u ! "n & firm ( ,leon>d ,&rus4 ,a second agreem5t dat$ ,octob] #bf1 #ahdd1aj :i* br\ght 9 a ?ird p>tn]1 ,horace ,pa9e1 describ$ ! bus9ess z ! art & trade ( ,blacksmi?+ ,pl\gh ,mak+ ,iron ,ca/+s & all ?+s !reto belong+ 444 & /at$ t ! cop>tn]%ip %\ld be conduct$ "u ! "n & firm ( ,l4 ,&rus & ,co4 ,! ?ird agreem5t1 dat$ ,octob] #bj1 #ahdf1 9 :i* ano!r man appe>$ 9 place ( ,pa9e1 gave ! "n ( ! firm z ,&rus1 ,de]e1 & ,la?rop4#aa ,?is c>ri$ an add5dum dat$ ,june #bb1 #ahdg1 9 :i* ,&rus & ,de]e b\ght out ,la?rop's int]e/ 9 ! bus9ess & agre$ to cont9ue "u ! "n ( ,&rus & ,de]e4 ,?is is ! only m5tion ( ! firm ( ,&rus & ,de]e4 ,x c\ld only h la/$ a few mon?s because x 0 9 #ahdg t ,de]e mov$ to ,mol9e & e/abli%$ 8 pl[ factory !re4 ,illu/ration3 ,figure #c4--,,recon/ructions ,,( ,,john ,,de]e',s #ahcg ,,pl[4 ,= a discussion ( ! position & atta*m5t ( ! h&les see p4 #bd4 7,de]e ,company photo47 ,^! agreem5ts sugge/ t ,leon>d ,&rus 0 ! capitali/ ( ! "y community ( ,gr& ,det\r1 z well z its f\nd]4 ,! dom9ance ( ! "n ,&rus t5ds to back up ! op9ion :i* holds t ,&rus 0 ! lead+ figure 9 ! developm5t ( ! successful prairie pl[4 ,on ! o!r h&1 ! g5]al tone ( ! agreem5ts sugge/s t two or m p 7 p>ticipat+ 9 an ent]prise 9 :i* ea* contribut$ to ! bus9ess & %>$ 9 ! results4 ,de]e contribut$ 8 pl[ & 8 blacksmi? %op1 tools1 & outbuild+s2 ,&rus contribut$ money & bus9ess exp]i5ce4 ,!re is no indication t !y 7 =mally associat$ prior to ! agreem5t ( ,m>* #bj1 #ahdc4 ,an adv]tisem5t 7x is quot$ lat]7 dat$ ,febru>y #c1 #ahdc1 & appe>+ 9 ! ,m>* #aj1 #ahdc1 issue ( ! ,rock ,riv] ,regi/]1 c>ries an ann\ncem5t by ,john ,de]e t he is ready to fill ord]s = pl[s1 :i* he !n describes4 ,!re is no m5tion ( ,&rus or ( an ,&rus & ,de]e firm4 ,i am incl9$ by ! evid5ce to ! view t ,de]e work$ out 8 pl[ by himself1 began to manufacture x 9 small numb]s1 ne$$ money to enl>ge & exp& 8 op]ations1 & w5t to ! logical s\rce ( capital 9 ! community1 ,leon>d ,&rus4 ,9 support ( ?is view ,i quote a /atem5t by ,mr4 ,burton ,f4 ,peek#ab :o has sp5t mo/ ( 8 life 9 ,de]e ,company & :o may n[ be ! only p]son liv+ :o knew ,john ,de]e3 ,&rus remov$ to ,gr& de ,t\r f "s place 9 ,new ,york ,ro*e/]1 ?\gh orig9ally f ,v]mont4 ,"s ye>s lat] ,john ,de]e came along f ,rutl&1 ,v]mont leav+ 8 family beh9d him4 ,:e!r ,de]e ev] he>d ( ,&rus or ,&rus ( ,de]e no "o kn[s4 ,hav+ decid$ to rema9 9 ,gr& de ,t\r1 ,de]e s5t = 8 family ask+ my pat]nal gr&fa!r1 ,william ,peek1 to br+ !m & also ! ,peek family out to ,gr& de ,t\r4 ,?is 0 done via cov]$ wagon ! j\rney occupy+ "s six weeks4 ,my fa!r1 ,h5ry ,c4 ,peek1 0 !n an infant age six weeks & ,*>les ,de]e1 ! son ( ,john1 an infant ( ab\t ! same age4 ,( c\rse ^! infants came along sleep+ 9 ! fe$ box ( ! wagon4 ,my gr&fa!r took up l& adjac5t to ,gr& de ,t\r & ,john ,de]e cont9u$ 9 ! manufactur+ bus9ess4 ,incid5tally1 ,john ,de]e & ,william ,peek 7 bro!rs-9-law hav+ m>ri$ si/]s & :at ,i h said1 & mu* m t ,i might say to y1 is bas$ ^u :at ,i h be5 told by my gr&fa!r1 by ,john ,de]e & by o!rs :o _h a "p 9 ! e>ly hi/ory ( ! company4 ,s f> z ,i "k1 ,i am ! only liv+ p]son :o ev] knew or saw ,john ,de]e4444 444 ,i jo9$ ! ,de]e ,company on ,octob] #a1 #ahhh1 at ! age ( #af & retir$ on ! #bh? ( ,april1 #aief--ne>ly #fh ye>s4 ,c4 ,h4 ,de]e 0 my great fri5d & b5efactor4 ,i 0 educat$ at 8 exp5se z a lawy] & practic$ = ?irte5 ye>s4 ,dur+ ?is "t ,i 0 8 p]sonal attorney1 ,i drew 8 w1 0 made tru/ee !reund]1 & probably 0 m intimate ) him ?an any liv+ p]son4 ,i h se5 & read ! manuscript ( an e>ly hi/ory ( ! company :i* he wrote1 b nev] publi%$ & !re 0 no?+ 9 x to indicate t ,&rus _h any "p 9 ! manufacture ( ! fir/ successful /eel pl[ & x is my firm belief t he _h no "p o!r ?an p]haps a fri5dly int]e/ 9 x4 ,,! ,,fir/ ,,pl[ ,mo/ writ]s describe ,de]e cutt+ a diamond-%ap$ piece out ( a brok5 /eel mill saw4 ,!re is usually no fur!r id5tification ( ! type ( saw beyond ! /atem5t t x came f ! ,&rus sawmill4 ,neil ,cl>k1 au?or ( a brief biography ( ,john ,de]e1 /ates t ! diamond-%ap$ piece 0 cut out ( a circul> saw4#ac ,!re is no evid5ce giv5 to support ?is4 ,!re are "s p[]ful argum5ts aga9/ x4 ,! circul> saw1 especially ( ! l>g] size1 0 probably n v common 9 ,am]ica 9 ! #ahcj's4 ,al?\gh an ,engli% pat5t = a circul> saw 0 issu$ 9 #aggg ! fir/ circul> saw 9 ,am]ica is attribut$ to ,b5jam9 ,cumm9s ( ,b5tonsville1 ,new ,york1 ab\t #ahad4ad ,illu/ration3 ,figure #d4--;,,h[ ,,de]e ,,probably ,,cut ,,& ,,b5t ,,! ,,flat ,,plate ( 8 #ahch pl[ to =m ! moldbo>d & l&side4 ,because ( ! %ape ( ! moldbo>d x became kn[n z ! diamond pl[4 ,illu/ration3 ,figure #e4--,,moldbo>d ,,( #ahdg ,,john ,,de]e ,,pl[1 %[+ h[ ! diamond %ape ( ! orig9al design has be5 slightly modifi$4 7,de]e ,company photo #egaib-;,d47 ,9 a small1 new1 pione]+ community x seems unlikely t ! local sawmill w\ld h be5 equipp$ ) ! new] circul> saw r ?an ! famili> up & d[n saw :i* rema9$ 9 use ?r\gh\t ! #ai? c5tury &1 9 places1 well into ! #bj? c5tury4 ,! up & d[n saw 0 a broad /rip ( iron or /eel ) l>ge tee? 9 "o edge4 ,driv5 by wat] p[] x sl[ly cut l>ge logs into bo>ds4 ,x is d\btful t ! circul> saws ( t p]iod 7 l>ge en\gh = ?is k9d ( mill "w4 ,! second argum5t is ! %ape ( ! moldbo>d itself4 ,! photograph ( ! #ahch pl[ 9 figure #g %[s t ! %ape ( ! moldbo>d is unconv5tional4 ,x is ess5tially a p>allelogram curv$ to pres5t a concave surface to ! furr[ slice & ?us to make a simple1 small b workable pl[4 ,a p>allelogram or diamond w\ld be an easy %ape to cut out ( a mill saw ) ! tee? remov$4 ,! moldbo>d on ! #ahch pl[ is f 4#bbh to 4#bch in*es ?ick & its wid? is #ab in*es4 ,^! dim5sions approximate ^? giv5 9 an #ahig ,dis/on catalog#ae :i* describes mulay saws1 a type ( mill saw1 f #aj to #ab in*es wide & f #d to #i gauge4 ,gauge numb] #d is ! ?icke/ & is 4#bch in*es4 ,exam9ation ( ! #ahch pl[ sugge/s t ,de]e cut ! moldbo>d & l&side z "o piece1 :i* 0 !n heat$ & b5t to ! desir$ =m4 ,! patt]n ( ?is piece is %[n 9 figure #d4 ,"s additional metal appe>s to be =g$ into ! %>p b5d at ! junction ( ! moldbo>d & ! l&side app>5tly to /r5g!n ?is "p1 :i* may h begun to op5 dur+ ! b5d+4 ,if1 h[ev]1 ,de]e _h us$ a l>ge circul> saw ) pl5ty ( room = cutt+ out a moldbo>d ( ! usual %ape & size1 x seems likely t he w\ld h made a pl[ ( m conv5tional appe>ance4 ,9 any ev5t 8 moldbo>d ( "o jo9tless piece ( poli%$ metal w\ld sc\r bett] ?an "o ( wood cov]$ ) /rips ( /eel s9ce ! nailheads & ! jo9ts betwe5 ! /rips w\ld provide places = ! e>? to /ick4 ,illu/ration3 ,figure #f4--,,! ,,%ape ,,( ,,! ,,moldbo>d cont9u$ to evolve1 z illu/rat$ by ?is #ahee ,john ,de]e pl[4 7,de]e ,company photo #egaib-;,a47 ,a v great majority ( writ]s describ+ ,john ,de]e & 8 pl[ attribute 8 fame to 8 developm5t ( a successful /eel pl[ :i* made cultivation ( ri* prairie soil practical4 ,! emphasis is always on ! developm5t ( a /eel moldbo>d & ! assumption is t f ! #ahcg pl[ onw>d /ret*$ an unbrok5 l9e ( /eel moldbo>d pl[s4 ,an adv]tisem5t = ,john ,de]e pl[s 9 ! ,m>* #aj1 #ahdc1 issue ( ! ,rock ,riv] ,regi/]1 publi%$ weekly 9 ,gr& ,det\r1 ,ill9ois1 gives a detail$ description1 "h pres5t$ 9 full3 ,john ,de]e respectfully in=ms 8 fri5ds & cu/om]s1 ! agricultural community1 ( ?is & adjo9+ c\nties1 & deal]s 9 ,pl\ghs1 t he is n[ prep>$ to fill ord]s = ! same on pres5tation4 ,! ,moldbo>d ( ?is well1 & s favorably kn[n ,,pl\gh1 is made ( wr\ght iron1 & ! %>e ( /eel1 #e_/af ( an in* ?ick1 :i* c>ries a f9e %>p edge4 ,! :ole face ( ! moldbo>d & %>e is gr\nd smoo?1 s t x sc\rs p]fectly bright 9 any soil1 & w n *oke 9 ! f\le/ ( gr\nd4 ,x w d m "w 9 a day1 & d x mu* bett] & ) less labor1 to bo? team & hold]1 ?an ! ord9>y pl\ghs t d n sc\r1 & 9 consequ5ce ( ! gr\nd be+ bett] prep>$1 ! agriculturali/ obta9s a mu* heavi] crop4 ,! price ( ,pl\ghs1 9 consequ5ce ( h>d times1 w be r$uc$ f la/ ye>'s prices4 ,gr& ,det\r1 ,feb4 #c1 #ahdc4 ,?is rais$ two que/ions3 ,:y1 & = h[ long1 0 wr\ght iron us$ = ! moldbo>ds ( ! ,de]e pl[s8 ,( :at mat]ial is ! moldbo>d ( ! #ahch pl[ made8 ,dur+ ! fir/ few ye>s1 :5 production 0 v small1 !re 7 probably en\gh worn out mill saws available = ! relatively few pl[s made4 ,z production increas$ ?is s\rce mu/ h become inadequate4 ,ardrey gives ! foll[+ figures = ! production ( pl[s by ,de]e & ,&rus3#af #ahci1 #aj pl[s2 #ahdj1 #dj pl[s2 #ahda1 #ge pl[s2 #ahdb1 #ajj pl[s2 #ahdc1 #djj pl[s4 ,ardrey /ates fur!r t by ?is "t ! difficulty ( obta9+ /eel 9 ! quantity & quality ne$$ _h become a s]i\s ob/acle 9 ! way ( fur!r developm5t4 ,! /atem5t1 quot$ above1 t ! moldbo>d 0 ( wr\ght iron & ! /ati/ics on production ( pl[s dur+ ! #ahdj's & #ahej's belie ,ardrey's claim t x 0 a s]i\s ob/acle1 nor is !re any sugge/ion 9 ! adv]tisem5t t wr\ght iron 0 be+ sub/itut$ = /eel4 ,9 #ahdg ,john ,de]e amicably sev]$ relations ) ! firm ( ,&rus ,de]e & mov$ to ,mol9e1 ,ill9ois1 to cont9ue pl[ manufactur+ 9 a site t _h bett] transportation facilities ?an ,gr& ,det\r4 ,! new firm produc$ #gjj pl[s 9 ! fir/ ye>1 #afjj 9 #ahej1 & #aj1jjj 9 #aheg4ag ,swank#ah /ates t ! fir/ slab ( ca/ pl[ /eel ev] roll$ 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates 0 9 #ahdf & t x 0 %ipp$ to ,john ,de]e ( ,mol9e1 ,ill9ois4 ,a little lat] he says t x 0 n until ! e>ly #ahfj's 9 ?is c\ntry t sev]al firms succe$$ 9 mak+ high grade crucible ca/ /eel ( uni=m quality z a regul> product4 ,illu/ration3 ,figure #g4--;,,john ,,de]e',s #ahch ,,pl[1 ,,"r ,,side1 %[+ l>ge iron /aple us$ to fa/5 end ( "r h&le to ! /&>d4 ,note rema9s ( wood5 p9 ne> re> end ( pl[ beam4 7,cat4 no4 ,f#aaaa2 ,smi?sonian photo #dbfci-;,a47 ,bas$ on a visit to ,de]e's factory 9 #aheg ! ,c\ntry ,g5tleman#ai gave ! ye>ly output z #ac1djj pl[s4 ,x pictur$ f\r ( sev5 models & /at$1 ^! are all made ( ca/ /eel1 & p]fectly poli%$ be=e !y are s5t out1 & are kept bright by use1 s t no soil adh]es to !m4 ,! article !n gives ! tonnages ( iron & /eel us$ by ! ,de]e factory 9 a ye>4 ,!y are z foll[s3 #ej tons ca/ /eel1 #dj tons ,g]man /eel1 #ajj tons ,pittsburgh /eel1 #ge tons ca/+s1 #bjj tons wr\ght iron1 #h tons malleable ca/+s 9 clevises1 etc4 ,9 addition #ajj1jjj pl[ bolts & #bjj1jjj feet ( oak plank 7 us$4 ,^! figures d n indicate :at ! diff]5t p>ts ( ! pl[s 7 made ( b1 if approximately correct1 !y d %[ t m ?an half ! metal us$ 0 iron r ?an /eel4 ,/eel acc\nts = #aij tons2 wr\ght iron = #bjj4 ,al?\gh x is conceivable1 "u ?is weight di/ribution1 t ! %>es & moldbo>ds 7 made ( /eel :ile ! l&sides & /&>ds 7 made ( wr\ght iron1 o!r di/ributions are also possible1 & x is q conceivable t at ?is p]iod "s ( ! pl[s _h /eel moldbo>ds :ile o!rs _h wr\ght-iron ones4 ,an analysis ( ! metal 9 diff]5t p>ts ( an #ahee ,john ,de]e pl[1 n[ at ! factory 9 ,mol9e1 may %$ "s light on ?is1 b f ^! figures & dates x seems likely t mo/ ( ,john ,de]e's pl[s dur+ ! #ahdj's & #ahej's _h wr\ght-iron moldbo>ds ) /eel %>es4 7,x %\ld be borne 9 m9d t ! poor] grades ( /eel available at ?is "t 7 probably no m satisfactory ?an ca/ iron z f> z sc\r+ clean 9 /icky soil 0 conc]n$47 ,illu/ration3 ,figure #h4--,,recon/ruction ,,( ,,de]e',s #ahch ,,pl[1 "r side1 ) h&les %[n 9 :at is believ$ to be _! orig9al position4 7,smi?sonian photo #dbfdg47 ,! "q ( ! mat]ial 9 ! moldbo>d ( ! #ahch pl[ 0 answ]$ :5 a sp>k-te/ analysis 0 made ( ! metal 9 ! moldbo>d & %>e4 ,9 ?is te/ ! color1 %ape1 & patt]n ( ! sp>k bur/s produc$ by a high-spe$ gr9d+ :eel indicate ! type ( iron or /eel4 ,sev]al spots along ! edges & back surface ( ! moldbo>d 7 te/$4 ,no c>bon bur/s 7 se5 9 ! sp>k patt]ns1 indicat+ t ! mat]ial 0 wr\ght iron4 ,! %>e consi/s ( a piece1 w$ge %ap$ 9 cross section1 weld$ on to ! l[]1 or front1 edge ( ! moldbo>d4 ,?is 0 te/$ at sev]al spots along its %>p edge1 all ( :i* gave a patt]n & color indicat+ t ! mat]ial 0 m$ium high c>bon /eel4 ,?is te/ 0 corroborat$ by a *emical analysis ( fil+s f ! moldbo>d & %>e 9 a metallurgical laboratory4 ,a small trace ( c>bon 0 f\nd 9 ! moldbo>d4 ,x may be pres5t z ! result ( contam9ation f sev]al s\rces1 a likely "o be+ ! *>coal fire 9 ! =ge :5 x 0 heat$ = b5d+ & %ap+4#bj ,^! te/s agree p]fectly ) ! description 9 ! #ahdc adv]tisem5t4 ,x seems1 !re=e1 t ,de]e's success 9 mak+ pl[s t work$ well 9 prairie bottom l&s dep5d$ z mu* on ! smoo? surface he produc$ by gr9d+ & poli%+ z on ! mat]ial us$4 ,! fil+ ( ! edge ( ! moldbo>d = ! metallurgical te/ disclos$ t ! wr\ght-iron slab consi/$ ( five ?9 lam9ations app>5tly =g$ toge!r b ) sep>ations visible4 ,! l5g? & regul>ity ( ! l9es ( sep>ation seem to preclude _! be+ /riations result+ f ! fibr\s /ructure ( wr\ght iron4 ,?is calls into "q ! !ory t ! moldbo>d & l&side 7 cut f a mill saw1 s9ce x h>dly seems likely t a saw w\ld be made ( lam9at$ mat]ial4 ,! possibility exi/s t ! body ( ! mill saw might h be5 made ?is way1 ) a too?-be>+ /eel edge weld$ on1 b !re seems little reason = mak+ a saw out ( ?9 lam9ations4 ,x is also possible t ?is lam9at$ iron orig9ally _h be5 int5d$ = "s o!r purpose1 su* z boil] plate1 & may h be5 available 9 rectangul> pieces4 ,9 mak+ ! #ahch pl[ ,de]e foll[$ a patt]n 7fig4 #d71 :i* sugge/s t he cut x out ( su* a piece4 ,illu/ration3 ,figure #i4--;,,john ,,de]e',s #ahch ,,pl[1 ,,left ,,side1 %[+ details ( con/ruction & relation%ip ( l&side to moldbo>d4 7,cat4 no4 ,f#aaaa2 ,smi?sonian photo #dbfci47 ,s9ce ! moldbo>d ( ! #ahch pl[ is ( wr\ght iron1 & s9ce ?is pl[ is ?\ght to be ess5tially id5tical ) ! fir/ "o ,de]e made 9 #ahcg1 x is highly probable t ! #ahcg pl[ also _h a wr\ght-iron moldbo>d1 a condition :i* appe>s to h be5 ! basic patt]n = ,john ,de]e pl[s until ! middle #ahej's4 ,,:y ,a ,,/eel ,,pl[ ,9 view ( ! facts & ! probabilities bas$ on !m1 h[ is ! leg5d ( ! ,john ,de]e /eel pl[ to be expla9$8 ,!re are sev]al likely reasons4 ,x is possible t ! fir/ pl[1 9 #ahcg1 0 made f a brok5 /eel mill saw4 ,x is also possible t )9 a few ye>s puddl$ iron came to be us$ = ! moldbo>ds because ( ! sc>city ( suitable /eel1 ei!r 9 ! =m ( brok5 mill saws or z plates ord]$ f f\ndries 9 ,am]ica 7! high price ( /eel import$ f ,engl& made ?is an impractical s\rce74 ,h[ev]1 x seems m likely t x became kn[n z a /eel pl[ ow+ to ! importance ,de]e atta*$ to 8 pl[s hav+ /eel %>es1 z %[n 9 8 adv]tisem5t 9 #ahdc4 ,a /eel %>e1 t\gh] ?an ca/ iron1 w\ld hold an edge mu* bett] ?an wr\ght iron1 & ,john ,muir's description ( prairie pl[+1 quot$ e>li]1 sub/antiates ! importance ( a t\gh1 %>p %>e4 ,de]e's pl[s1 probably di/9ctive by reason ( _! /eel %>es1 may h be5 call$ /eel pl[s1 9 ! regions :]e !y 7 us$1 to di/+ui% !m f ! /&>d wood5 pl[s & f ! new] ca/-iron implem5ts4 ,! t]m wood5 pl[ has a simil> hi/ory4 ,= well ov] #bjjj ye>s 9 ,europe "s pl[s h be5 made ) iron %>es & ! re/ ( ! /ructure wood4 ,pl[s 9 #ah?-c5tury ,am]ica 7 made pr9cipally ( wood ) iron %>es1 colt]s1 & clevises1 & ) /rips ( iron frequ5tly cov]+ ! wood5 moldbo>d4 ,^! implem5ts 7 call$1 simply1 pl[s ( v>i\s regional types4 ,n until ! developm5t & spread ( ! factory-made pl[s ) ca/-iron moldbo>ds1 l&sides1 & /&>ds did ! t]m wood5 pl[ come into use to diff]5tiate all ^! pl[s f ! new] ones4 ,subsequ5tly writ]s h be5 l$ to assume t wood5 pl[ meant a pl[ ) no iron p>ts & consequ5tly to make unw>rant$ /atem5ts ab\t ! primitiv5ess ( ! #ah?-c5tury implem5ts4 ,a second reason = use ( ! t]m /eel pl[ may h develop$ f ! supposition t ! moldbo>ds ( ! fir/ ,john ,de]e pl[s 7 made ( diamond-%ap$ sections cut f old mill saws1 :i* lat] writ]s seem to h assum$ 7 made ( /eel4 7,x is probable t f ! late #ahej's on ,de]e pl[s _h /eel moldbo>ds47 ,h[ev]1 mill saws ( ! e>ly #ai? c5tury 7 n necess>ily made ( /eel1 :i* 0 !n relatively exp5sive4 ,i h be5 told ( an old mill saw made ( wr\ght iron on :i* 0 weld$ a /eel edge t c>ri$ ! tee?4#ba ,rees' ,cyclopa$ia#bb describes saws z be+ made ( ei!r wr\ght iron or /eel1 ! latt] be+ pref]able4 ,!re=e1 x seems mo/ likely t ,de]e's pl[s1 f 8 fir/ until ! middle #ahej's 7 made ) highly poli%$ wr\ght-iron moldbo>ds & /eel %>es4 ,,recon/ructions ,! rema9s ( ! #ahch pl[ are %[n 9 figures #g & #i4 ,"o's curiosity is ar\s$ z to :at ! pl[ look$ l 9 its orig9al /ate1 complete ) h&les4 ,sev]al full-scale #c-;dim5sional recon/ructions & a numb] ( sket*es ( ! #ahcg pl[ h be5 made4 ,! recon/ructions all mu/ h be5 bas$ on ! rema9s ( ! #ahch pl[1 s9ce !y resemble x closely & x is ! only surviv+ pl[ ( ?is type kn[n4 ,rec5tly ,i receiv$ a photograph 7fig4 #c1 "r7 ( a pl[ :i* has be5 box$ & 9 /orage = _m ye>s at ,de]e ,company :i* may be an e>ly ,de]e pl[4 ,z x appe>s 9 ! photograph1 ! pl[ looks unconv9c+4 ,! h&les are fa/5$ by bolts & nuts1 a mann] uncommon 9 ,am]ican pl[ mak+ 9 ! e>ly #ai? c5tury4 ,! %ape ( ! h&les is t ( /ock h&les available = small pl[s & cultivators 9 su* a catalog z ,belknap's4 ,! pl[ seems v high & weakly brac$4 ,!re is no logical reason = curv+ ! end ( ! beam d[n & cutt+ x (f at a slant if ! h&les are atta*$ 9 ! mann] %[n4 ,! edges ( ! t5on on ! upp] end ( ! /&>d :]e x goes ?r\gh ! mortise 9 ! beam h be5 neatly bevel$ 9 a mann] ,i h nev] se5 be=e on any o!r pl[4 ,all ( ?is leads me to ?9k t ?is is an e>ly recon/ruction bas$ on ! rema9s ( ! #ahch pl[ :i* x only r\ghly approximates 9 proportion & design4 ,ano!r ( ^! recon/ructions is %[n 9 figure #c1 left4 ,al?\gh sup]ficially l ! #ahch pl[ x v>ies consid]ably 9 its proportions1 9 ! angul> relations ( its p>ts1 & 9 o!r details su* z ! use ( iron bolts & nuts 9 place ( wood5 p9s4 ,all ^! recon/ructions agree 9 "o ?+4 ,!y %[ a pl[ ) h&les fa/5$ to bo? sides ( ! pl[ beam & /&>d4 ,dur+ an exam9ation ( ! #ahch pl[ x occurr$ to me t !re 0 no indication ( an atta*m5t ( a h&le on ! l&side 9 ! same mann] z on ! furr[ side4 ,! position & atta*m5t ( ! h&le 9 figure #g is cle>ly indicat$ by ! rema9s ( a wood5 p9 9 ! side ( ! pl[ beam ne> ! re> end & by ! l>ge iron /aple1 9 ! side ( ! /&>d1 :i* mu/ h held ! tap]$ l[] end ( ! h&le4 ,figure #h is a sket* %[+ ?is h&le 9 position4 ,! l&side view ( ?is pl[ 9 figure #i %[s t ! p9 did n ext5d ?r\gh ! beam nor are !re m>ks on ! /&>d to indicate ! position ( a /aple l t on ! furr[ side4 ,! f\r holes approximately 9 l9e on ! /&>d & beam %[ :]e a piece ( %eet metal _h be5 nail$ to hold ! beam & /&>d 9 ab\t ! "r position4 ,! outl9e ( ! %eet metal c be se5 on ! side ( ! beam4 ,?is 0 remov$ at ! "t ?is exam9ation 0 made4 ,h[ 0 ! l&side h&le atta*$8 ,w4 ,e4 ,bridges ( ! ,national ,museum sugge/s t x might h be5 atta*$ to ! l[] side ( ! /&>d & ! re> end ( ! pl[ beam4 ,?is seems1 beyond d\bt1 to be correct4 ,! wood has det]iorat$ consid]ably ov] ! ye>s & ! jo9ts are loose1 b1 )9 ! limits ( ! exi/+ /ructure1 ! pl[ beam c easily be set 9 su* a position t its slop+ re> end l9es up ) ! slope ( ! und]side ( ! /&>d4 ,fur!rmore1 a long bolt runs f ! upp] "p ( ! moldbo>d ?r\gh ! /&>d & projects q f> beyond its l[] surface1 z c be se5 9 figure #g4 ,! end ( ! bolt is ?read$ only "p way & x has be5 necess>y to put a cyl9drical metal spac] on x 9 ord] to draw up ! nut snugly4 ,?is long bolt mu/ orig9ally h pass$ ?r\gh ! l[] end ( ! h&le1 :i*1 9 turn1 0 fa/5$ to ! end ( ! pl[ beam by a t5on on ! end ( ! beam1 n[ brok5 (f1 pass+ ?r\gh a mortise 9 ! h&le4 ,?is 0 ! common me?od ( fa/5+ ! h&le to ! beam4 ,! squ>e hole 9 ! pl['s iron l&side 7fig4 #g71 :i* at fir/ might seem meant = ano!r bolt pass+ ?r\gh ! l[] end ( ! h&le at "r angles to ! long bolt1 seems too close to ! o!r bolt & to ! edges ( ! h&le4 ,x may simply be a fir/ try = ! bolt ?r\gh ! bottom ( ! /&>d4 ,9 ?is mann] ! h&le w\ld h be5 /rongly atta*$ to ! pl[ frame &1 at ! same "t1 w\ld h mat]ially help$ to make x rigid by =m+ "o side ( a triangul> /ructure4 ,figures #h & #aj %[ :at ,i believe to be ! correct recon/ruction ( ! #ahch ,de]e pl[ along ! l9es j describ$ &1 !re=e1 ! probable appe>ance ( ! #ahcg pl[4 ,illu/ration3 ,figure #aj4--,,recon/ruction ,,( ,,de]e',s #ahch ,,pl[1 left side1 %[+ h[ left h&le is believ$ to h be5 atta*$4 7,smi?sonian photo #dbfcg47 ,x %\ld also be not$ t x 0 g5]al practice 9 mak+ fix$ moldbo>d pl[s to h ! pl[ beam1 /&>d1 h&le1 & l&side 7or %>ebeam1 on ! old pl[s7 9 ! same plane4 ,symmetrical h&les bran*+ f bo? sides ( ! beam are f\nd on cultivators1 %ovel pl[s1 middle bu/]s1 & sidehill pl[s :]e ! moldbo>d is turn$ alt]nately to ea* side4 ,,9 ,,summ>y-- ,! exi/+ evid5ce1 ,i believe1 indicates t3 #a4 ,! successful prairie pl[ ) a smoo? "o-piece moldbo>d & /eel %>e 0 basically ,de]e's idea4 #b4 ,! moldbo>ds ( practically all ( 8 pl[s1 f #ahcg & = ab\t #ae ye>s1 7 made ( wr\ght iron r ?an /eel4 #c4 ,! success ( 8 pl[s 9 ! prairie soils dep5d$ on a /eel %>e :i* held a %>p edge & a highly poli%$ moldbo>d to :i* ! /icky soils c\ld n cl+4 #d4 ,! importance atta*$ to ! /eel %>e l$ to ! pl[s be+ id5tifi$ z /eel pl[s4 #e4 ,! correct recon/ruction ( ! #ahch pl[1 &1 by inf]5ce1 ! #ahcg pl[1 is %[n 9 figures #h & #aj1 previ\s recon/ructions be+ wrong prim>ily 9 ! position & atta*m5t ( ! h&les4 #f4 ,! ,museum's ,john ,de]e pl[ 7,cat4 ,no4 ,f#aaaa71 %[n 9 figures #g & #i1 is a v e>ly specim51 on ! basis ( a comp>ison ( x ) ,de]e moldbo>ds ( #ahdg & #ahee & its con=mity to ,de]e's description ( 8 pl[s 9 an #ahdc adv]tisem5t2 & ! #ahch date associat$ ) x is plausible4 ,,footnotes3 #a ,john ,muir 7#ahch-aiad71 ,! /ory ( my boyhood & y\?1 ,bo/on1 #aiac1 pp4 #bbg1 #bbh4 #b ,r4 ,l4 ,ardrey1 ,am]ican agricultural implem5ts1 ,*icago1 #ahid1 p4 #ad4 #c ,ibid41 p4 #af4 #d ,j4 ,b4 ,davidson1 ,tillage ma*9]y1 9 ,l4 ,h4 ,bailey's ,cyclop$ia ( ,am]ican agriculture1 ,new ,york1 #aijg1 vol4 #a1 p4 #chi4 #e ,leo ,rog91 ,! introduction ( f>m ma*9]y 9 its relation to ! productivity ( labor 9 ! agriculture ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates dur+ ! n9ete5? c5tury1 ,b]keley1 #aica1 p4 #cc4 #f ,u4 ,s4 ,national ,museum records "u accession #adhijd4 #g ,neil ,m4 ,cl>k1 ,john ,de]e1 ,mol9e1 #aicg1 pp4 #cd1 #ce4 #h ,/ew>t ,h4 ,holbrook1 ,ma*9es ( pl5ty1 ,new ,york1 #aiee1 pp4 #agh1 #agi4 ,to an inquiry by ?is au?or1 ,mr4 ,holbrook repli$ t mo/ if n all ( ! mat]ial ab\t ,&rus came f ! files ( ! ,j4 ,i4 ,case ,company4 #i ,photographic copies ( p>tn]%ip agreem5ts betwe5 ,&rus1 ,de]e1 & o!rs are 9 ,u4 ,s4 ,national ,museum records "u accession #adhijd4 #aj ,ibid4 #aa ,ibid4 #ab ,lett] f ,burton ,f4 ,peek to ,m4 ,l4 ,putnam1 ,decemb] #ah1 #aieg1 9 ,u4 ,s4 ,national ,museum records "u accession #adhijd4 #ac ,cl>k1 op4 cit4 7footnote #g71 p4 #cd4 #ad ,e4 ,h4 ,knight1 ,am]ican me*anical diction>y1 ,bo/on1 #ahhd1 vol4 #c1 p4 #bjcc4 #ae ,h5ry ,dis/on ,sons1 ,price li/1 ,philadelphia1 #ahig1 p4 #bh4 #af ,ardrey1 op4 cit4 7footnote #b71 p4 #aff4 #ag ,ibid41 p4 #aff4 #ah ,james ,m4 ,swank1 ,hi/ory ( ! manufacture ( iron 9 all ages4441 ,philadelphia1 #ahib1 pp4 #cij1 #cic4 #ai ,c\ntry ,g5tleman1 #aheg1 vol4 #aj1 p4 #abi4 #bj ,reports on sp>k te/ by ,e4 ,a4 ,battison1 ,u4 ,s4 ,national ,museum1 & on metallurgical inve/igation by ,a4 ,h4 ,val5t9e1 ,metallographic ,laboratory ( ! ,be?lehem ,/eel ,company's ,sp>r[s ,po9t ,plant4 #ba ,= ?is in=mation ,i am indebt$ to ,mr4 ,e4 ,a4 ,battison ( ! ,u4 ,s4 ,national ,museum /aff4 #bb ,abraham ,rees1 ,! cyclopa$ia2 or univ]sal diction>y ( arts1 sci5ces1 & lit]ature1 ,philadelphia1 #ahaj-ahdb1 vol4 #cc1 "u saw4