A NEW MACHINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1524, 11 December 1886, Page 2

A NEW MACHINE.

A trial of a new gorge-trimming machine was held yesterday on Mr Deflenzy’s farm at Winchester. The machine is the invention of Mr Kerr, of Ashburton, and It baa been made in Duncan’s foundry, Christchurch. There is not the least doubt but a moat important stride in agricultural economy baa bern achieved by the unexpected success of this much-wanted, and invaluable machine. Gorse hedges, which have always : been a considerable tax on all landowners and holders, (notwithstanding thoir benefit for the safe keeping and shelter of stock) can now be trimmed, once or twice a year as regularly as wool cao be taken off the sheep, a( a price which will be welcomed by farmers. This being done with judgment will enable farmers to utilise the trimmings for feeding stock during the winter months or other times of scarcity of feed, as nothing is more welcome feed, and few fodders more nutritious to all farm stock than young gorse. As no description of the machine has been sent to this paper, all errors in reporting its build must be excused. As far as ascertained, it is driven much on the same principle ss a reaping machine, with pole and three horses abreast. The driving wheel is on the off side, next the fence, and the near wheel can bo raised or lowered to give a variety of angles to the knives, which are .on the revolving principle. These knives work up each side of the fence at an angle off the perpendicular, or by an adjustment c£ gear at an angle off the - horizontal, ou both sides of fence, finishing {be whole.with a uniformity and. precision not to Jbe achieved by hand labor. The paddock in which the trial look place was a large bn*, containing a variety of fences. Some were 10 feet or 12 feet high with 18 months’ growth ; one was half the height, with only spring growth; another was seven feet distant from the driving wheel of the machine (a water-race flowing in tbs. intermediate space). All these were treated with equal success. In the first-named three years’ growth was cut back, No. 4 size wire and black pine posts of 20 years’ standing not being respected, while that of few months’ growth was smoothly shaved, and gently treated by these revolving blades. The water-race, with a very rough bank for the driving wheel, was spanned, and the fence was operated upon with equal success. Mr Kerr steered the machine, and manipulated it in a very satisfactory manner. We congratulate Mr Kerr on the groat success of his invention, and it is a pity that mors farmers were not present to witness the machine working.. This was the result of not advprtiaing—a failing with Messrs P, and D. Duncan—but it is probable the machine will be shown again in the district, when notice of the time and place will begiT#d|