REAPER AND BINDER CONTEST AT ASHBURTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5589, 23 January 1879, Page 6

REAPER AND BINDER CONTEST AT ASHBURTON.

The first annual trial of the various reapers and binders now claiming the attention of the agricultural community in the County of Ashburton, took place yesterday in one of Mr John Carter’s fields of wheat at Grove Farm, Tinwald, The crop selected for the trial was a fine upstanding heavy one, and will probably turn out 60 bushels to the acre. The length of the straw averaged 3ft Gin, the ears being heavily headed and well filled. The weather during the day was beautifully fine, and in every way suited for the proper working of the machines, and not too hot for either man or horse. The kind of wheat was that known by the name of Hunter’s White, though other kinds of wheat amongst it were noticeable. By a great many it was thought far too green to be ready for reaping, and in this opinion we are inclined to agree. This, of course, made it rather heavier work for the horses than it would otherwise have been. _ The crop, on the whole, was far superior to the one on which the trial under the auspices of the Metropolitan Agricultural Society took place. A largo number of the leading farmers and residents of the district were present during the day, and considerable interest was taken in the work of the respective machines, each maker having his particular merits and demerits commented upon by the onlookers. The great change that has taken place in the last year in the harvest operations in this County can now be estimated, when anyone going through a portion of this County can see, within a radius of three miles, no less than 47 reapers and binders at work, one farm alone employing 23 of these machines. Thus, at a glance, will be seen the great strides and the vast amount of work done in our harvest fields; and yet

labour is not at all equal to tho demand at the present time. It was to bo regretted very much that tho Marsh harvester did not put in an appearance on tho ground, and many persons were disappointed inconsequence. It appears that this machine was entered for the trial in time, but unfortunately some portion of the gear was left behind, and therefore it could not commence in time. Tho quantity of land a"otted to each machine was four acres. The three machines which entered were the Wood’s, M'Oormick, and Osborne; they all commenced at 10.23 a.m.

Tho work that first attracted attention was that of the Osborne. This machine cuts about sft 9in wide, and throws tho sheaf off in a very even compact manner. It outs very near the surface, leaving very little stubble, certainly an object this season with the farmers when the majority of our crops are so short. The driver of tho machine was Mr Case, and the team of horses was a very good and steady one, and finished at 23 minutes to 3 p.m. This machine, it will be seen, had the advantage, if any, of having three horses, whilst the other machines had only two horses. Tho crop itself was certainly too heavy a one for only two horses, and this wiU account for tho early finish of the Osborne. The level character of the ground was also another point in favour of the Osborne, the other machines being placed at some disadvantage in this respect, there being one or two high ridges, and the crop itself very much heavier where the Wood and M'Oormick machines were placed.

The Wood machine came next to our notice. The driver, Mr Hunt, evidently kne w how to manage Ms team, but the machine did now show anything like tho work it con do. The sheaves were tossed about in a very irregular manner, and did not appear to be tied sufficiently near the butt of the sheaf. It was easily seen that the Wood machine did inferior work from tho start. _ This was no doubt owing to the machine being out of repair in some particular. -The stubble was left very much longer than that of the Osborne.

The ground occupied by the M'Oormick was nearly in the centre of the paddock. This machine cuts 4 feet. The work on the whole was excellent. The line was not so good as the Osborne, but the sheaves were tied in such a way as left nothing to be desired, and was even better than the work done by the same machine at Christchurch; Taken on the whole, there was very little difference between the work of the Osborne and the M'Oormick.

The machines were entered by the following persons:—Osborne, Messrs R. Wilkin and Co.; Wood, Mr Joseph Hunt; M'Oormick, Messrs Morrow, Bassett and Co.

The following members of the Association acted as marshals: Osborne, Messrs T. Sargeant and G. M, Robinson; Wood, Messrs E. Jones and W. Fraser; M'Oormick, Messrs H. S. Smith and G. Buxton.

The judges were—Messrs James Scott, T. Sargeant, Jas. Clark, D. Butteriok, Hay T. Smith, J. Hunt, W. Bennison, O. Digby, D. Cameron, Thos. Taylor, JnO. Stalker, D. Campbell, D. Evans, D. Calrncus, W. Fraser, 0. Eimington, E. P. Wright, M. St.’ l '., A. Leatham, and J. Gaukrodger.. Engineers—Messrs Edwards and Lee. The first prize,. the Association’s Gold Medal, was taken by the M'Cormick with 13 points, the Osborne coming second with 10. The first prize to driver, of £3, was allotted to the driver of the winning machine; the second, of 255, to the driver of the Osborne; and the third, of £l, to the driver of Wood’s.