MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1878.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 537, 21 January 1878, Page 2

MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 1878.

Reapers and binders are all the rage just now, and desc-ivciiiv so. There are several different descriptions In the market, some of which possess decided advantages over others. In order to test the efficiency of these machines several trials have occurred in Canterbury and Otago, one of which took place the other day on Messra. Orr and Co.'s farm at the Devil's Bridge. Wood was the manufacturer of the machine tried on this occasion, with which was connected a | Locke's patent binder. The trial was | satisfactory in every respect. Not only did these appliances perform their work with miraculous speed, but the quality of the work is just as wonderful. "When the machine comes into contact with uneven ground the result is not quite up to its usual standard ; but, even then it is superior to hand-work, whilst it is far more expeditious. The thanks of the community are due to those who have had the courage to invest the large sums necessary to purchase these-machines. They are just what is required by this district. "We have soil, climate, and settlers, which are not to be beaten anywhere, and we can always find a ready market for our grain ; but the great want has been some expeditious means of getting in the crops, in order to take advantage of any spell of fine weather when necessary, and to render the profit more in reason with the labour and outlay necessary in prosecuting farming. The first cost of a reaper and binder is li ,- ge, but the benefits it confers are infinitely greater. Not only is it labour-saving, but it enables the grower to harvest his crops often in the nick of time, a desideratum which will tend to promote superiority in the grain, or, at all events, often prevent it from suffering damage. We shall not now attempt to describe the machine which has revolutionised farming in the country of surpassing 'cuteness, as the majority of the farmers of this district have already seen the description of machine we allude to, and many had the pleasure of seeing Messrs. Orr and Co.'s at work on Friday last. It would be almost impossible to afford any correct idea of the celerity with which these implements operate, and the manner in which they persecute their work from mowing to binding. They must really be seen travelling and clearing—as thougli cut with a razor—all before them, with a rapidity and effectiveness truly wonderful, to be properly understood ; and then it seems strange that these labour-saving appliances were not previously invented and brought into

use. It will l>e a matter of considerable importance to the farmers of this district to decide which will be the best machine of the several in the market for their use, and we would strongly advise them to take advantage of every opportunity of seeing them at work. A southern exchauge says:—"The prevailing excitement in farming matters are the late trials among importers of the new reaping and binding machines. Within the last few days the relative merits of the M'Cobmick and Wood machines have been tried in the same field, near Rangiora, and at Sefton, with a satisfactory result, each machine having its list of supporters. Yesterday one of the M'Cokmick machines was tried at Papanui, and did its work well. The real contest is, however, to take place on Monday next, under the auspices of the Agricultural and Pastor il Association, in one of Mr. Dean's pad- : docks, at Riccarton, and is looked forward to with very great interest. There are five entries, and the comparative merits of the machines of local manufacture with those imported will be closely watched." The farmers of the district are invited by Mr. M'Lexxax to witness the performances of the reaper and binder purchased by the Hon. Robert Campbell, for Whitstone Estate, on Friday next, weather permitting. This will afford another opportunity of judging of the merits of these machines.