The Horticulturalist Queries Progress of The Lawnmower
There is little doubt that some 25 years after the invention of the lawnmower that it would have been known about in the United States, even if not widely used. Nevertheless, at least a few examples would probably have found their way across the Atlantic by this time.
It is worth bearing in mind that by 1855 sales in the UK would have amounted to just a few thousand examples in the various sizes produced by John Ferrabee and very few others. Most of these were being used in the large "stately home" estates, public parks, sports grounds, private schools, universities, and similar settings. Although such sites existed in the United States by this time the country was expanding rapidly and facing many other challenges that would have limited the number of sales. This article in one of the country's horticultural journals may simply be reflecting the reality of the time.
Progress in Horticulture.---Is there Any?
It is not an uncommon thing to hear people say after attending a horticultural exhibition, and luxuriating their eyes upon the display of exquisite fruits, "Oh yes! it is all very well for a few rich people and amateurs, who can afford to keep expensive places and gardeners, but why is it we never see these things in market?" The question would appear to be a reasonable one; will the questioners be contented at present with a reasonable answer?
The progress of all great improvements is slow; it has taken some ten years to introduce successfully that obviously economical instrument, the mowing machine. The captains of the Thames and other English steamboats keep a boy always on duty to hollow "stop her," "go ahead," &c., and they contend that a bell "would not answer;" so that we see even where it is of the strongest pecuniary interest, slowness marks the progress of a good thing. In the case of luxuries this onward movement is necessarily more tardy.
PublicationOtherDateSourceGoogle Books/The Horticulturalist/1855/P393Link