HARVESTER TRIAL.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6027, 9 January 1885, Page 3

HARVESTER TRIAL.

Each succeeding season brings as some new improvement in harvesting machinery, which the farmers of the Canterbury district are always about the first to avail themselves of, and are also the best judges of the value of such, and show -their appreciation of such advancements in the"<*ids to husbandry in a thoroughly practical form. The last new harvesting-machine coming to notice is the low level platform reaper and binder, and great interest naturally centred in the announced trial which, under the auspices of the frew Zealand Gra-'n Agency and Mercantile Company, took place on Mr Thomas Cherry's farm at Eyreton yesterday. The new machine for public favor is one manufactured by Samuelson'e firm at Banbury. Taere was a very good attendance of the influential farmers of the district, and the proceedings were watched very closely. The merits of the machine were well discussed in all points, and the result was an almost unanimous decision on the part of the farmers present that it bade fair to become the harvester of the future. The elevators in the harvesters which have been placed before us since 1878 are in Samuelson's low-level platform reaper and binder conspicuous for their absence, and hence the machine is by no means so bulky in appearance. Whilst there is evidently a saving in the weight of the implement, in haulage, there is also, it was held, less machinery to look after, and durability and strength of parts is fully provided for.] Its principal portions show a completeness and workman-like finish which conveyed the impression to those present that the object of the makers is to produce a substantial machine, and one that should commend itself to the agricultural community. The harvester was horsed and driven by Mr E. Hack, but the team did not draw it so evenly as it might have been worked. An oat crop was operated upon, the grain standing on reedy straw 4ft sin high, being exceedingly strong for the class of land upon which it grew, and the straw was, furthermore, heavier than had previously been produced on the paddock after at least fifteen years of cropping. Unfortunately the ears of corn were not heavy. Each head had held a fair number of terries, but the small birds had committed havoc with one-third of the produce. The machine under notice was set to cut a width of bit, its knife being in the same position as other harvesters. After cutting the crop is the ordinary way the porn was passed on without elevating direct to the packers, which, after delivering it to the binder, ceased to pack till the binder was ready for another sheaf. The machine is fitted with an Appleby knotter, and so constructed that! any unevenness in the binding 'twine produces no effect or stoppage. In each case the sheaves could be made to suit the wish of the driver, and bound tightly or loosely as desired. The work done was very cleverly and cleanly performed by the machine, from the action of which it was patent that there must be hardly any loss of corn by nhaVing out. The sheaf being securely bound and separated, has simply to drop a few inches on to the ground. The butt slips from the binder first and there is no concussion to cause the ears to shake out, There is no resistance offered to the i wind, and the binding work lies bo close to the ground that the crop aa it is passed in is sheltered from the i breeze. The public were informed that J on sideling land - the machine would > be found a very superior one, seeing it would be nearly out of the question to turn it over. The sheaves bound were of average size and well secured, arid as already stated, the new labor-saver and harvest-facilitator found many friends among those present. Messrs Beharrell and Wreaks were present, and in a most courteous manner fully explained the working of the parts. < In the same paddock was exhibited in full work one of Warder, Buahnell and Glessner*s Champion cord binders. This i 3 one of the class of machines with which all are acquainted, and the superior qualities of which were noticed in the report of the implement classes at the Metropolitan Show published in this journal. The reaper and binder now shown, cutting to a width of 6ft, fully bore out all that is claimed for it. For powerful cutting and elevating, perfect binding , , ability to cut and gather any and all kinds of grain, to take up lodged or tangled grain successfully, for lightness of draught,and simplicity in make, it fulfils in all respects what is claimed for

it. The machine was horsed and driven by Mr Lord, and Mr Beece, Jan., was present to explain its mechanism. Of this machine the farmers present expressed very decided opinions upon its construction and the manner in which it performed its work, which must have been alike nattering to the makers and the local agent. The fingers of the knives, the butt raker, and the springs which allow for contraction as well as for expansion of the canvas in the elevators, were points calling for expressions of praise from those present, and the general character of the work performed was excellent.