REAPER AND BINDER TRIAL.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7258, 18 January 1889, Page 6

REAPER AND BINDER TRIAL.

A field trial of the Masseyand Deering binders took place at Messrs Prattley and Ward's farm, Temuka, on Wednesday. There was a capital attendance of farmers, and the work done by the machines was intelligently criticised. Mr Gray, t£e local agent for the Massey machine, and Mr James Findlay, the Deering agent, conducted the trial, each being accompanied by experts. The Massey opened up in a somewhat light crop of oats, and did capital work, leaving a particularly even stubble and a tightly tied sheaf. The absence of a butter appeared to militate against the neatness of the sheaf, but no exception could be taken to the knot. The machine was drawn by two horses. Mr A. M. Clark also sent one of his Massey machines with 6ft cut, which, after a little adjustment by Mr Maclain, the expert, did good work. The Deering machine was one of the newest pattern, all steel, and had never been worked previously; It was - splendidly horsed by Mr John Aitken. From start to finish it tied every sheaf neatly and well, and its easy draught, perfect balance, and dean ent excited favorable comment. During the day the bundle carrier was attached, and as soon as the driver got used to its manipulation its advantages were plainly shown. The sheaves were carried and placed at regular intervals, so that a good deal of labor in stooking is avoided. It was claimed that a man could stook two acres more per day when the bundle carrier was attached. It is also convenient at corners, the sheaves being placed clear of the horses. The crop was rather too light for a perfect exhibition, and it is intended to show the machines again in a heavy crop of wheat.