Reaper-binder

The reaper-binder, or binder, was a farm implement that improved upon the reaper. The binder was invented in 1872 by Charles Baxter Withington (September 10, 1830 (Akron, Ohio) – December 12, 1909 (Janesville, Wisconsin)), a jeweler from Janesville, Wisconsin. In addition to cutting the small-grain crop, it would also tie the stems into small bundles, or sheaves. These sheaves were then 'shocked' into conical stooks, resembling small tipis, to allow the grain to dry for several days before being threshed.