ALSIKE COB-RUBBERS OR DRAWERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1672, 8 December 1883, Page 13

ALSIKE COB-RUBBERS OR DRAWERS.

Towards the end of the grass and clover seed seasons of last year, a Southland subscriber sent an inquiry to ascertain the best means of rubbing alsike seed from the cob. It is probable that many farmers could make the growth of this seed a source of profit but for the difficulty experienced hitherto, in the absence of proper machinery, of drawing and dressing the seed.. On receipt of the query we ascertained there was no machinery in the Colony suitable for tho purpose, and mentioned the matter tr> several firms. We now learn that Messrs Nimmo and Blair immediately communicated with their English agents on the subject, and having received replies, the correspondence is now kindly placed at our disposal. Extract from letter of Agent in England to Messrs Nimmo and Blair.

London, 19fch October, 1883. " Alsike Drawer. — Our information is satisfactory in one way, and yet not altogether so. It appears the largest users of such machinery never buy their machines all ready made, but buy part here, and part there, and so construct a machine to their own fancy. There are, of course, makers of the complete machine, but when we go to the users for some sort of testimonial as to their merits, we find some improvement or other that is not part of tho original make. The secret of good preparation for maiket or for use does not lie apparently in the threshing, but in the drawing. Anyordinary corn-thresher will suit, if you get tho proper drawer for passing the seed through after it is threshed. The best information wo have is from a manufacturer of these machines, and we enclose copy of a letter received from him. The price and size of such a machine;,

however, we have not yet received; but hope to get.it in time for writing per Tongariro. Copy of letter from machine maker to Mesira Nimmo and Blair's English Agents.

"Dear Sirs,— lv answer to yourg this morning, as for the best machine for threshing alsike or clover it matters little whose make, whether Clayton and Shuttleworth or any other good make, you thresh it With. But the machine for drawing or rubbing the cob after it is threshed is quite another thing. I have had these machines of different makers, and I have two now. One is Mr Burrell's make, of Shelford, which does the work well in the dressing apparatus and riddling, but the barrel for drawing is not right, it is too slow ; it works with about 24 beaters, which I now intend altering altogether. My other drawer draws it far quicker and brightens the seed up much better. This is ©ne of our old-fashioned rubbers — the barrel which I have made for years, but the dressing apparatus on these machines is not big enough. I am, therefore, going to put one of these sort of barrels to the other kind of dressing apparatus. I then consider that will be the best rubber or drawer in the market. I shall be pleased to supply the parties with either one of the three other makers' machines, or make «ne that I consider just what is wanted, or give you any further information,"

It will be perceived by the Agent's letter the valuable information embodied in the above will be supplemented by the mail per Tongariro, and parties interested cannot do better than communicate with Messrs Nimmo and Blair.