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In the early to mid-1800s, clover as a crop grew in popularity. It was considered “green manure” as clover helped the soil’s fertility while producing food for livestock. According to website, the heavily demanded crop seed sold for over $28 bushel in Ohio in 1855. The labor-intensive crop needed a solution for harvest. One of the solutions came from John Comly Birdsell. In this week’s What’s New Wednesday, the Birdsell Clover Huller.

John C. Birdsell, born 1815 in New York, developed a machine that would harvest and thresh the clover plant. This machine, the Birdsell Clover Huller, came into existence in 1855 and was patented in 1856. However, those Birdsell trusted to file the patent did not follow through properly, and this would cause problems for him later. Over the next years, Birdsell worked to educate the public about the merits of the huller and the Birdsell Manufacturing Company. As he produced these machines, unfortunately, he lost money. He then moved his operations to South Bend, Indiana. It took several years for the business to be successful. By the 1880s, the Birdsell Manufacturing Company had won a patent dispute against the infringers and had found financial success. This company continued into the 1930s.

South ��ֱ���� Agricultural Heritage Museum Collection 1999:032:001. Donated by the Klein Brothers.