TRIAL OF REAPING AND BINDING MACHINE ON THE WHITSTONE ESTATE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 541, 25 January 1878, Page 2

TRIAL OF REAPING AND BINDING MACHINE ON THE WHITSTONE ESTATE.

A large number of gentlemen and a few 'adies were pri'Si.nt at the trial of tlu patent, reaper and binder at, Whitstniie this afternoon. It will be remembered that the machine that was put to the test was awarded a prize, of L2O at the lasr exhibition of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, subject to »

♦ rial when the proper time should arrive, The Committee of the Sopiety relegated the duty of judging to Messrs. T. Meek, E. S. Lees, and Thomas Rainforth, arid these gentlemen, after ai> ; ple trial on level and unlevel ground, decided that the machine well well worthy of theprizein every respect. The crop operated upon was of the description called white velvet, and a better sample Gould scarcely be found, with the that it was a little green, in consequence of the unfavourable, weather that has Iptely prevailed. Notwithstanding this, however, the machine did its work exceedingly well, and fully realised the expectations of the most sanguine. Jt cut with a precision. truly remarkable, and under the management of a man accustomed to the work, proved itself capable of performing its functions —cutting and binding—far better and with less waste than such work is usually done by hand. It was worked at the rate of about ten acres in eight hours, and will, without doubt, do more when the man in charge becomes accustomed to its conduct. Mr. Reid (of the firm of Reid and Gray) was on the ground, and : superintended the working of the machine. We congratulate Mr. M'Lennan on the success that has attended the trial, and think that the time is not far distant when the example he has set will be followed by the majority of the farmers "of this district, ,A. nurnb.er of those present were kindly entertained by Mr. M f Ijennan at luncheon after the conclusion of the trial, and all left apparently gratified with what they had seen.