OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums The History Forum Model Histories AMERICAN Reel Hand-Mowers CORNSTALK PUSH MOWER - c1910s-1930s

This article is largely the result of a tip-off: photos taken in Canberra
in 2017 by respected NZ collector Alan M. These were the first image evidence
of a Cornstalk I have recorded. Many thanks to Alan for noticing the
significance of this forgotten mower.

What the images confirmed was place of manufacture - the USA. No advertising
suggested place of manufacture. I have argued that the Australian market was
dominated by USA mowers from the late 19th Century. They held that position
until the tariff protections of the 1930s.

The Cornstalk is primarily an important piece in the history of the Gardening
Department of N&K. It is also a reminder that the North Americans were making
the best - and cheapest - sidewheel mowers at this time. The British struggled
to compete in cheaper handmowers - but excelled at push roller-reels and power
roller-reel mowers.

The rest is history.
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Jack