| The
use of the “beater hay press” became increasingly important
in the latter decades of the 19th-century as the marsh hay economy
gained momentum. These devices probably followed the design of the
patented Dederick Hay Press manufactured in Albany, New York after
1867. The press, a multi-level structure, in which hay was fed from
above and progressively “beaten” down into a chamber where
a bundle or bale was formed, which when finished was secured with
wire and removed ready for shipping. Horses were used to power the
beater. It is possible that versions of these devices were made locally
and installed in barns dedicatied to this purpose. In this case, for
an annual sum of $20, Patterson agrees to lease a two-thirds share
of the press and its associated power (likely a horse tread mill winch)
and to also provide Anderson with one-half of the space in the press
barn and one-half the space in the “hay bay” of his Middle
barn with the “linter” [lean-to??] attached for a storage
room. Anderson was thus assured a covered space in which to process
and store hay in preparation for its sale and export. For more on
hay pressing see: 8317/3/1, The Edward Anderson
diary. |
