TRIAL OF HARVESTERS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1832, 6 January 1880, Page 4

TRIAL OF HARVESTERS.

THE DEEEINO- TWINE BINDEE. Messrs Mason, Struthers and Co., tho New Zealand agents, exhibited ufc workyesterday, a Marsh Harvester, with Docring twine binder, and nothing could bo mere satisfactory than tho work performed by it, which was in fact the very perfection of harvesting. The field chosen was ono belonging to Mr John Overton, of Ercbbletcn. Tho crop of oats varied from two and u half to five and a half feet high, and contained u large proportion of broken down straws by wind and sparrows. But a very clean even stubble was left. The sheaves were turned off all exactly the same size, and with a wonderfully uniform tightness of tie, Each sheaf was so tight that it was impossible to shake anything out of it, and difficult even to draw a straw from it. The knot was perfect, and would not yield to any strain upon it, and would ho very difficult to untie. On putting sufficient strain on to break the string it never gave way at the knot. Tho sheaves are compressed into a shape not round, but flattened, being about fifteen inches through in one direction and only seven in the other. They looked very well when built in stocks, but wore certainly not symmetrical standing or lying alone, as besides their flattened shape, they looked Tery waspish, with their drawn in and highly ompressed waists, and their bulging out butts and tops. Neither by hand nor machine, by straw nor by wire, has there been seen here the whole of a crop so securely and uniformly tied before. Tho uniformity of size in the sheaves is obtained

by a spring, which yields at a given amount of pressure, and which instantly stops the gathering rakes and starts the binder, which completes its work in ore revolution, when the binder stops and the gathering claws commence their work again. There is no confusion or imperfect separation between the bound and unbound straw, and absolutely no waste. The whole is performed under conditions that wou’d be unaffected by the strongest winds; and indeed, after the grain loaves the cutting platform, no wind could have any effect on it until quietly pushed off in a lightly bound sheaf with about one foot drop to tho ground. The trial yesterday attracted a largo gathering of farmers and others interested in agricultural pursuits. Punctually at ten o’clock Mr Overton’s man, with a pair of horses belonging to that gentleman, were attached to the Decrinp, and after tho oil can had been applied to the working gear of the machine by Mr Eilithorpe, the maker’s representative, the word was given and the work began. Tho first sheaf was eagerly criticised. The knot was the subieot of discussion, and the manner in which it stood the strain that was put upon it by one after another gave evident satisfaction. Then tho machine was stopped, and tho manner in which the knot is tied was slowly and practically ehown and explained by the maker’s representative. Tho knot tier is in appearance like a bird’s bill, which opens and receives the two ends of tho string at the moment it is cut by tho knife, which are thus drawn through the loop by tho beak retaining its bold on them till tho knot is made and the sheaf is gently dropped on the ground. Tho width of cut of tho machine is sft., and tho representative claims that in a day of ten hours he can negotiate a field of fifteen acres with ease. About 200 persons were present during the day, and the expressions of satisfaction at tho work done were both numerous and unanimous, attention being called by many to the clean way in which the work was done. Wot an ear of corn was missed by tho reaper and binder in i's course, or allpwod. to fall on the ground untied. At a late hour in the afternoon it was suggested by Mr H, J. Anderson, of Yaldhursfc, that all those present who were satisfied, with tho manner in which the Daering did its work should give them some tangible proof of tho same. Accordingly a letter was drafted by one of the visitors as under : January sth, 1880. To Messrs Mason, Slruthors, and Co., Christchurch.

Dear Sirs,—We, the undersigned farmers iu the Province of Canterbury, New Zealand, have this day witnosseda trial of the Marsh Harvester with Deeriog’s Twine Binder in a h;avy crop of oats belonging to John Overton, Esq., Prebbleton, and are desirous of testifying to the excellence of the work done, and have no hesitation in saying that it is a moat perfect machine, and does the best work of any we have seen in New Zealand, and consider it will be a great acquisition to this colony, and elsewhere. We also desire to thank Mr Ellithorpo, the maker’s representative, for his lucid explanations of tho machine, and attention to all inquiries. Signed by over fifty farmers on the ground, including many of the principal settlers in Canterbury. It was state! by the agents that after the trial they took several orders for the machines from persons who had been present and witnessed the work they had accomplished. It is worthy of notice that not a single hitch occurred to mar tho working of the binder, which is strictly automatic, not even a tie broken. The agents may bo fairly congratulated on a trial resulting in unqualified satisfaction to those witnessing it.

THE JOHNSTON-STRING BINDER. A public trial of the Johnston String Binder took place yesterday at the farm of Mr H. D. Gardiner, Dwell. There was a large attendance of farmers from tho surrounding district, and very great interest was evinced by those present in the proceedings. Tho paddock chosen for operations was a field of barley, which was very long in the straw, and from its condition, the grain being very much tangled, was considered likely to tax the power of the machine, and give a good idea of its ability to cope with crops under any disadvantages. Amongst those present wore Messrs J. Osborne, H. Overton, B. Frankish, Coo, <fcc. Mr Wilson, the manufacturer’s agent, was in attendance, and explained the working of tho machine, Tho horses wore driven by Mr Morrow, of the firm of Morrow, Bascelt and Co , who have already received several orders for next season’s crop. Those present expressed themselves well satisfied with the working of the machine, and the way in which it dropped the sheaf, which falls on its butt, also with the closeness of the cut to tho ground. GRASS SEED STRIPPER. The trial of grass seed strippers, under the auspices of tho Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, advertised to take place in a paddock belonging to Mr W. Boag, of Burnside, Fendaltown, took place yesterday. The machines competing were those exhibited ia class 34 of machinery at tho late Metropolitan Show, The prizes, according to rule, being withheld till a trial of the working qualities of tho several implements could be fairly tested by a field trial. It will be remembered that Messrs Scott Bros, and P, and D. Duncan were the only exhibitors, consequently, there were only two machines to try. Tho weather was all that could be desired, but the crop to be operated upon was hardly ripe enough to do as clean work as might have been done had it been riper. The attendance of farmers was not numerous, doubtless owing to the superior attractions elsewhere in the way of trials of the new string harvesters, which were going on at Irwcllg &o. Messrs W. E. Ivey (College Farm), J. Sharp (Lincoln), and Mr 0. Bourn (Southbridge). had been chosen to act us judges. Each machine was allotted twoaores, as fairly equal as possible. Lots being drawn the first placo fell to Messrs Scott Brothers. A start was made at 11.45, Messrs Scott Bros, finishing at 12.52, the other machine finishing soon afterwards. The machines were then subjected to several tests, such as high and low setting, &c., the judges sparing no pains to arrive at a sound and equitable decision, and ultimately declared in favor of Messrs Scott Brothers. The verdict gave general s ■•(iafaction, although the machine of Messrs Dunonn and Co. did good work also, and is simple in construction. Tho members of committee in attendance, accompanied by tie judges and others, adjourned by invitation to Burnside House, whore a sumptuous luncheon awaited them, presided over by tho hospitable host and his good lady. After ample justice had been done to the viande, and the compliments of tho season had passed round, Mr Boag announced that failing to procure a suitable placo for holding tho forthcoming contest of reapers and binders, ho would bo glad to place a paddock of wheat and oats at tho disposal of the committee for that purpose.

“ Don’t tit so far away from me, Harry dear,” she said to her lover while they were steaming up the river with tho excursion, “ don’t sit so far away and turn yonr back to me in that way ; people will think we’re married.”