TRIAL OF THE "HOWARD" BINDER.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2186, 6 January 1886, Page 3

TRIAL OF THE "HOWARD" BINDER.

A trial of the Howard reaper and twine binder was made at the farm of Mr Alexander Johnston at Cumloden, East Masterton, yesterday. A hold of 33 acres of wheat was chosen, the crop varying considerably, and the ground being uneven and ridgy. The crop varied from about eighteen bushels to forty bushels to tho acre, the straw standing from Ift up to. 4ft. Considerimr tho remarkably dry fion, the crop looked exceedingly well, was well headed. Tho machine used ~ this occasion was one made by the ■ we}hknown Ann of J. and F. Howard, of Bedford, England, and was the property of Mr Angus Frasor, who kindly lent it for the trial, Mr Chas. Clifford, a man j. of great experience, was tho manipulator. • The main frame that carries tho weight jP of the machine is of English oak, which w is much stronger and more durable than the American ash commonly in use, whilst all the shafts aro of Bessemer steel. ■ The main bearings and knifo connections of the machine are brass bushed, and the knife is driven by it rock shaft in place of the usual swing bar. The drive (yhe.ol is of wrought iron, which is a considerable improvement on tho wooden wheel, as being less liable to break. The two pinions which drive the whole niachine are of cast steel, and it is per- . haps the only make of machine that has them of that material. The machine cuts tivo feet wide, and has a platform wide enough to take straw live feet long when cut, The knottor is onw of tho simplest made, the spring and plunger bolt bein« diwpsed with. Tho panel is jointed to ftTttil holder that takes the place of the viWating lever, and secures a positive motion to the disc. The knot is very simple, and perfectly secure, The twjne is either Manilla'or hemp, 'and tho machine will tie with any twine, provided it will stand a strain of 100 pounds, and Tho action of the binder automatic, that is to say, it does not . :, run until sufficient corn to form a sheaf to been collected against the compressor, ao that no mattor how patchy tho crop may be, tho sheaves do not vary in size. The machine averaged an acre to the hour, which was considered very good on such uneven ground. It is also capable .'' of cutting and tying crops ranging from fifteen inches to seven feot in length. The automatic action of tho binder was _ traced by observing the varying intervals between the sheaves, which nevertheless were all made of uniform size. Two knives aro provided with each machine, one with plain sections for use in green crops, and the other with serrated sections for ordinary ripe grain. The' finger bar is a. length of heavy auglo iron, firmly the frame of tlm machine, and ferries twenty-one sections, each of which jias a steel plate rivetted in to take tho ' wojk of cutting. The lingers themselves WjMiiallable cast iron. The machine oaWße adjusted to lcavo stubble from 2} inches to 20 inches in length. In order to facilitate passing through gates and travelling by road, two small wheels aro

provided, by which the machine can bo f drawn sideways. By this means it can bo taken througii a 9 feet gateway, Mr A Twentyman, of .the firm of Ttventyman & Cousins, the general agents for New Zealand, and Mr James-Ross, the local agent, were present, and offered thosq present every information npeessary, A very refreshing tea ww provided, by- 'Mrs Jqhnstpn for the visitors,' the noted dairy and the; orchard of Cumiodcn farm being |™glit into; requisition,