A STRAW BINDING MACHINE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 457, 26 March 1890, Page 2

A STRAW BINDING MACHINE.

The most important topic of the week, says the Leader, perhaps is the news froln America that a reaping machine has been inventeJ that binds with straw. The State Grange of Illinois recently offered a premium of L 2,000 to secure a practical machine, or reaper attachment, for binding grain with straw instead of twine. Forty inventors’ representing nearly every state, also Canada and Scotland, competed. A working model of full size was finally accepted, but its owner declined to sell his interest for the sum named, “ having had much larger offers for his device and its patent. A report issued by the awarding committee says :—“ We have seen this machine bind grain, and it docs the work much finer and better than can be done with straw bands by hands. It has an extra attachment for short straw or grain, that can beset in motion by the foot of the driver. This binder seems perfect in all its parts, more simple and easier to operate than the twine binder. The knot ter is not as delicate in constriietion, yet does not take up more room, and is not so heavy as the twine binder. We consider this a matter of great import* ance to all grain raising farmers, for they will not hereafter be subject to the trusts and combines of the twine men, having plenty of binding material right at hand on the farm. The patents is arranging.to bring out his machine in February, 1890, and will enter the grain fields of the Southern States, thence following the harvest north.”