THE REAPER AND BINDER CONTEST IN CANTERBURY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 69, 27 January 1879, Page 2

THE REAPER AND BINDER CONTEST IN CANTERBURY.

(From the Chrisichurch Press),

Coming to tho notice of the individual machines the first was the Marsh, under the control of Mr H. H. Hemming, who drove a pair of Mr Hiatt's bays, a team which, 'however, was hardly able enough for the work. The width of knife used was Oft, and the performance of the Marsh, though good, was somewhat marred by one or two drawbacks which happened to it. As the Harvester King, the larger size of the Marsh Company's machines, has been referred to at length in these columns, it needed only bo added that in the heavier crops tho Marsh line the preference, Mr Hemming was unfortunate in the selection of an inferior spool of wire, which caused some sheaves to be left unbound, and the frequent stoppages to which he was subjected, together with tho fact that ho was overmatched by about 15 yards extra width in his allotment, excites a hope that the Marsh will before the season is out, be subjected to a better and fairer trial.

Wood's machine was under the control of Mr N. P. Heath, and his horses were sent by Mr Blake. The working of this machine was also at some unaccountable disadvantage, in its adjustment to the level of the stubble of (i inches, and the crop operated upon was a trifle lighter in this section than some of the others, as. the instruments had apparently been set to deal with long straw and heavy corn. Since last season the improvements made are in tne adjustable reel, position of the driver's seat, increased range of the binder, which extends 18 iiichcsbachvai'd or forward with one motion of the lever, and the binding has generally simplified, the wire spool now regulating its own tension, The sickle knife during the day was found not to be in proper working order, The full 'cut of swatlie was 6ft Gin, and the draught apparently light from the early time in which the machine was enabled to finish, being first out, The sheaves were well bound and of a fair sizo.

Osborne's machine was under the skilful management of Mr H, J, Case, who had a very fine team from the Boag's farm. This harvester made very easy work of it, although the judges put it down as the heaviest in draught. The start made was an excellent one, the opening showing that the width of cut of swathe was sft lOin. The corn was well received on the platform, and very comfortably delivered up the elevator on to. the binding .platform, whore the wire was fastened in firm style, and the sheaf easily lowered on to its butt end. This arrangement pleased the farmers very greatly, and there was a noticeable improvement in the arrangement added to last year's machine, by which the sheaves are quite separated before leaving the platform. The elevator has been improved, so that "huft'y" grain and cross straws, no matter how much entangled, are carried forward without delay. To further test this our reporter sent a whole sheaf through the elevator with the greatest ease. The wrought, bar and malleable guard and steel plate on which the sickle works are important features are important features in this machine. The work done was excellent, the machine being well set down, and leaving its sheaves in fair sizes. The real contest of the match lay between this and the next machine in point of work.

McCormicks machirin was under the guidance of Mr P. G. Newall, driving a pair of Mr Hack's horses. In its opening it cut Oft 3in, and in regular work cut 4ft Gin. It lias been improved since last season in the binding-frame, shell crank, tension, and wire feed. The instrument has also been widened to take up longer grain. The raeclianicism of the apparatus the judges consider less liable to get out of order than in the case of any other, It has no knife in the wire cutting part, the wire being cut by a deferential wheel, which twists and cuts in the same operation, making besides the connection between the wire of the first and second spool. Although from the outside it might appear to be complicated in its parts, the judges had no hesitation in saying it was not likely to get out of order, and 'would prove to.be the most durable machine, Of its works it may bo said there was not a- fault to be found with it, the utubbls left was not too high the sheaves made were even and convenient in sizo,the wire, round them being well secured, The

counterparts of those already mentioned, .need not again-be referred to. judges took great pains in their inspection, mid in submitting the machines to the test of the dynamometer. The draught of each were given as—Osborne, 5 cwt.,; Wood,4| .cwt.,.; McOormick, 4 cwt.,; Marsh, 3f cwt.,; McOormick, hand hinder, 3 cwt.,; Marsh, ty cwt, The time in which eacli machine finished from time of starting was—

h. . m, Wood 2 49 Osborne 3 5 McOormick 3 8 Marsh ,4 35 flic hand binders, as before stated, not completing their task. At the close of tho inspection Mr M.'Murphy publicly announced the result to be that the machines had been placed— McOormick first. Osbomes, highly commended.

No prize had been awarded to tho hand binders, as the judges considered they had not completed tho work, The announcement was recoivedwithgeneralsatisfaction, and it was stated to have been tho unanimous verdict of the judges,