A NEW MACHINE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9299, 15 December 1891, Page 2

A NEW MACHINE.

a* At the invitation of Blessrs Nimmo and Blair, seed merchants, a number of farmers and others interested assembled on Jlr AValter Blackie's farm, East Taieri, on Friday last, to witness a trial of the "Planet Jr." horse hoe, cultivator, &c., hy Jlr Sanford, expert, from America. The exhibition lasted for over two hours, and from the beginning was highly interesting, the many uses to which the implement could be put by work shown by Jlr Sanford among Jlr Blackie's turnip and potato crops being much admired. The tool has many advantages over other machines of a similar kind, chief among which may be mentioned the patent parallel frame, giving parallel parts where the side standards bolt fast when the tool is open to the average width, and therefore the cultivator standards may be made straight and interchangeable, so that when removed for different work they may be exchanged or returned without confusion, and may be used in combinations. The standards (which are patented) are made of hollow steel, and by clasping the frame tend to strengthen it. The strength of the tool was amply demonstrated by Jlr Sanford putting it on an unbroken headland, and, with the heaviest man on the ground riding on the machine, stopped a powerful draught horse at his will without straining any part of the implement, although Jlr Blackie's trace chain gave way under the great strain. Other advantages are the patent lever expander for altering the width and a patent lever wheel for regulating the depth, both being done in an instant and while the tool is in motion. Altogether the horse hoe is capable by various alterations of being put to 24 uses, including hoeing, furrowing, drilling, moulding, weeding, harrowing, seed-covering, subsoiling, itc. Jlr Sanford showed the implement doing these different kinds of work. Those present were unanimous in its praise, and doubtless the implements will come into general use, Jlessrs Nimmo and Blair having booked several orders already as the result of the trial.