THE REAPER AND BINDER IN THE CLUTHA.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 192, 15 March 1878, Page 6

THE REAPER AND BINDER IN THE CLUTHA.

"According to public announcement a trial of one of Osborne's reapers and binders took place at the Crescent, the property of Mr William Watt, on Saturday last. A large number of settlers from the surrounding districts attended to see this wonderful machine, and to witness for themselves the revolution it is destined to effect in connection ivith this branch of husbandry. The start was effected about 1 o-clock, the machine being drawn by two fine mares belonging to Mr Watt, driven by Mr Alex. Maclean, of the firm of Maclean Brothers, Dunedin, agents for Otago for this machine. This, we understand, was only Mr Maclean's second trirl afc managing the reaper and binder, but although he had a very heavy crop and other obstacles to contend against, it was admitted he was as efficient upon the seat of the machine as in the auctioneer's box — and that is saying a good deal. The crop upon which the machine was tried was a very heavy one of wheat. Indeed it- ; was evident that the inventor of the machine was not aware that such heavy crops as are grown in the Clutha district were produced in any part of the world, otherwise he would have provided wider belts and delivery boards for receiving it ; in fact, to be thoroughly suitable for such crops as are grown upon the flats of the Clutha, the whole machine must be made wider. This alteration, however, can easily be made. It will be as easy to make a wide as a narrow machine, as only a little more material will be required. We believe the one tried on Saturday would be quite suitable for the generality of crops upon the ridges, and it is an important point that it works equally well upon ridges or steep ground as upon a flat. To explain : the macnine cuts the grain with a sickle-edged knife, worked from

the centre of the kriife-bar by a board vibrating on an axis in the middle of the receiving platform. The gram slides along this platform or board and is caught between two endless webs of canvas, by which it "is kept securely in position and carried to the binding.board. Here it is at once bound by machinery something similar to that of a sewing machine, 'and the sheaf is left on the board until the next bundle is bound, which gently pushes it off, the butt end reaching the ground first.

We may mention that in consequence

of the length of the crop on the Crescent a man walked beside the machine to remove the sheaves as bound, and thus prevent choking, but with a machine adapted for the crop this would not be necessary. The driver has complete control of the following operations without leaving his seat or stopping the team : — He can lower or raise the reel or fanners to suit a long or short straw ; throw the machine in or out of gear ; adjust the binder for long or short grain ; raise or lower the knife-bar to suit inequalities of the ground ; thread the needle, if by accident the wire should break ; and tighten or loosen the tension if the bands are found to be too loose or tight. It should be borne in mind that the tension is on the wire, and not on the spool. The driver can also deliver the sheaves at any desired interval, or of any size required.

We think every one present at the trial on Saturday must have been satisfied that the principle of the machine was correct, and that it can bo applied to any kind of crop. We believe machines suitable for such as the Crescent crops are now being manufactured, and will arrive here in time for next season. We daresay a few of them -will be wanted here. The work on Saturday was cut short at 3 o'clock, when the rain commenced to fall in torrents and the visitors were glad to run for shelter. We have only to add that the visitors were very hospitably entertained by Mr Watt at the house, while fruit was sent to the field for all and sundry.