Cotton Chopper. (open access)

Cotton Chopper.

Patent for a new and improved cotton chopper. This design "consists in combining with a frame a roller of any desired width and size having one or more slots or openings in its periphery, and so mounted as to roll over and crush the stand of cotton, except those portions which enter the slots or openings referred to, which regulate the distance apart at which the portions of the stand are left remaining" (lines 19-27).
Date: November 17, 1885
Creator: Greer, John I.; Harper, Wiley M. & Greer, John
System: The Portal to Texas History
Stalk and Clod Cutter. (open access)

Stalk and Clod Cutter.

Patent for a new and improved stalk cutter. This design "consist[s] of . . . any desirable number of cutting-wheels constructed with heavy spherical hubs of cast metal and spokes carrying at their extremities horizontal knives. The said cutting-wheels are mounted . . . on a horizontal shaft provided with a longitudinal key-slot from end to end, so that the cutting-wheels may be adjusted in the desired positions thereon, the said shaft turning in boxes at the rear ends of a pair of longitudinal beams secured in front to an axle provided with two carrying-wheels and a driver's seat" (lines 9-21).
Date: December 15, 1885
Creator: Farley, John C.
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oil Tank. (open access)

Oil Tank.

Patent for a new and improved oil tank. This design "relates to improvements in oil-tanks, and has for its object to prevent the waste of oil when emptying the can or vessel in which it is received from the factory, and to avoid the odor arising from the oil, and also to prevent evaporation after the oil has been introduced into the tank" (lines 9-15).
Date: March 24, 1885
Creator: Fisher, Charles A.
System: The Portal to Texas History