REAPING MATCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2217, 29 January 1868, Page 2

REAPING MATCH.

_ Yesterday a very interesting trial of reaping machines took place at Avonhead, under the auspices of the Canterbury Farmers' flub, an J in the presence of a very large number of spectators. It is now some time since a similar competition occurred in the province, but it is nevenheless a most desirable proceeding—equally so as a ploughing matck-and the club certainly deserves great credit for reviving it. Many persons may not understand the advantage of good reaping, but it is a most important item in the management of a farm, and it is only by bringing the various styles of machine into competition with each other that a farmer is able to personally compare their respective merits, and select that which may appear most adapted to his particular plot of land. The scene of contest yesterday was a thirtyfour acre padlock belonging to Mr Hill, and

- about half a mile in rear of the Bush Inn, ■' on the Riccarton road. The crop to be cut > was wheat, suniewhat green and very seriously damaged by blight, but still most suitable ■ for the purpose. The day was very propitious, although * i cooler atmosphere would certainly have proved J more acceptable to all. The respective seci tions for each machine—two acres in extent ■ —were marked out with red flags, and had a I little more punctuality been obserred in i starting the teams everything might : have been considered admirably ar- ■ ranged. Exception might also certainly be ' taken to the start not being opened out for the competitors, but this was beyond the con- • trol of the committee, the crop being too ■ green to permit of its being touched in any way until the morning of the contest. In the way of amusement* only one solitary caterer put in an appearance, and although he announced himself as all the way from Paris, with'' Napoleon's Own Game," yet it was evident that its attractions were unappreciated. During the competition Lord Lyttelton and the Hun. G. S. Lutelton, accompanied bjf his Honor the Superintendent and Mr titewart (Provincial Secretary) visited the ground and spent a considerable time in examining the wo k and machinery. Other influential gentlemen were also present, and such w .s tin* interest evinced in the trials that several bad come from Kaiapoi, the Moeraki Downs—about forty miles distant—and other remote places. 'I he reaping machines were ordered to be on the ground ready for work at eleven o'clock, but it was considerably after this before the horses were harnessed, and, by the time that a preliminary trial hud been made by each, two hours beyond the stipulated time had elapsed. This was to a certain extent owing to the time wasted in putting some of the machines together on the ground, but tho committee should in future guard against such a proceeding, if even they have to disqualify some of the competitors for the offence. The number of entries was originally ten, but a Burgess and Keys', entered by Mr Tisch, and one of Samuelson's, entered by Mr Hargrcaves, failed to put in an appearance, whilst one of Homsby's, entered by Mr Heece, could not be put together in time. Those actiuilly worked may, however, be taken as combining almost all the improvements and systems of working this class of implement. The stations being numbered were drawn by lot and fell as follows : Name of • .• By whom Tier DMm P' lon ' entered. 1. Ilon.sliy Self delivery E.Eeeco 2. Britfliam and Bielort n.Borwick ... Self delivery Maker 3. Robinson, Melbourne ... Sell'delivery HuT i V emit 6. Blythe, rrelbjoton... Manual delivery Maker 0. J. An'erson, Christchurcli... Manual dolivery Maker 7. Brijjhmn and Bickoiton ... Manual delivery Maker 8. Hornsby ... Manual delivery Beeco A start was made at half past one, the men opening out_ their allottedJand themselvei.

This waß unexpected and caused a little confusion and misunderstanding, some taking more and others less than their quantity of ground. When all became settled and ini troper working order the work was carried on smoothly and expeditiously, It soon became evident that No 1 Hornsby's self delivery could not make good work, tiie sheaves king much too large and scattered in the delivery. This was not. the fault of the machine, whicli, having evidently been put together in haste, i.nd not being properly understood by the men whs in anything but working order. ' No 2 Brigh tin and Bickerton's self delivery obtained a large number of admirers; it Is an elegant little machine, beautifully finished and admirably adapted to small occupations. The sheaves were well cut, of good size, and put off in beautiful regularity and order. It certainly covered but a small space compared with some of the others, but for a moderate sized farm it is a very valuable implement. No 3 Robinson's self-delivery, gave almost as little satisfaction as Hornsby's. It wants many of the improvements in machinery of moro recent manufacture. The sheaves although fairly cut were very badly delivered. No 5, Biytho's manual delivery, although cutting the sheaves rather too large, delivered them remarkably well. It is a modification of Messrs Burgess and Key's system, and i« fitted with a wheel on a loose perpendicular, shaft on the outer side by which means it is much easier turned than those wuh fixed wheels. There is also a seat for the nun engaged iu delivering the sheaves widen affords increased facilities for carrying on the work. No 6, Anderson's manual,delivery, and also a modification of Burgess and Key's implement worked veiy well; it was but little inferior to No 5. It is perfect in construction, and worked smoothly and comparatively noiseless. No 7, Brigham and Bickerton's Buckeye pattern, is a very neat and well finished machine, perfect in work, but scarcely suitable for the colonies. It is said

to be a very perfect implement in grass mowing. No 8, Hornsby's, with a tip p atform, may have all the remarks respecting Ho 7 applied to it. The work was concluded by some of the machines, before the others but the last had completed within about two hours from the commencement. The judges were Messrs J. Walles, Kaiapoi; John Murray, Lincoln road ; and Charles Bourne, Leeston. Immediately the reaping was completed, the draught and breadth of cut of each machiue were tested, No - of Tiring Width of Machine. Drau * ht ' Cut. ft. in. No. 1 ... not tested. 2 ... 4J cwt ... 4 6 3 ... 5£ cwt ... 4 5 5 ... 5£ cwt ... 5 7 6 ... 5£ cwt ... 5 7 7 ... 4f cwt ... 410 8 ... not tested ... 4 9 The prizes were then awarded as follows : Stlrn Maker - A ™ d - No. 5 ... Blythe, Prebbfeton ... Ist prize 6 ... J. Anderson, Christchurch ... 2nd „

We did not ascertain, owing to the late termination of the contest, whether any award was made for self deliverer*. This concluded the competition which, although slightly unsatisfactory in some respects, was still, on the whole, a most decided ■access. But even what little dissatisfaction prevailed, was, in a measure, beyond the control of the committee. The greenness of the crop, by preventing ;he ground being put in proper order for the contest, was the first drawback, and this being the first attempt by the Club at a match of this kind, the other arrangements must necessarily be more or less deficient. Time and experience can only surmount such a difficulty, and the Club deserve every praise for the general success of the meeting. To Mr Bust, the secretary, this more particularly refers; whilst to Mr Hill, the owner of the padlock, the thanks of all are due.