VISUAL ACTIVITY Mechanical Reaper Advertisement This advertisement for the mechanical reaper manufactured by the Lagonda Agricultural Works in Ohio illustrates the labor saved—and the labor still required—to harvest wheat. The revolving reel pulled the stalks of wheat toward a cutter and piled the cut grain on a platform. One man pushed the cut wheat onto the ground where another man bound into sheaves. Library of Congress. READING THE IMAGE: What kinds of labor are represented by the two men standing on each side of the oval picture of the reaper? What kinds of labor were saved by the mechanical reaper and what kinds were required? CONNECTIONS: How did reapers and other improvements increase agricultural productivity?