Stewart's Patent Stump Machine

Stewart's Patent Stump Machine

Clearing forested lands to create open agricultural land was an arduous process, which is why this device may have been of interest to farmers: "This machine is not only used for pulling stumps, but it is applicable to moving buildings, rocks, &c. It possesses great power and may be worked with ease and convenience." Perhaps over-optimistically, it was claimed that for a team of horses and three men "removal of 100 stumps is considered a day's work." By the mid-1800s, most land clearing involved the use of animal power, like oxen or horses. Later, explosives were used to destroy stumps.

Unknown

William W. Willis and James Kilburn, agents

1851-04

Cooper, Ken

The Genesee Farmer 12.4 (April 1851): 87

Courtesy of Internet Archive

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