THE M'CORMICK HARVESTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2287, 30 December 1897, Page 23

THE M'CORMICK HARVESTER.

(By Husbandman.)

It is now 66 years since Cjrus Hall M'Cormick constructed the first successful reaping machine, and the name of M'Cormick has evtr since been closely a'scciated with the evolution of the crude machine of thab far back period into the practically perfect harvester of the present day. The M'Cormick reaper and binder made an early appearance in the harvest fields of New Zealand, and very soon established itself as a favourite with the farmers. As proof of the lasting qualities of the machine only a few days since a iarmer, speaking to an agent in North Canterbury, remarked that he purchased a M'Cormick harvester 16 years ago, had run it every season since, and it would see him through another harvest. Shortly afterwards another farmer called on the agent and said he had run a II Cormick for 13 seasons, aud although it was not yet patt work, he thought he was justified in purchasing a new ODe this season. In

HE^S MORROW, BASSETT, AND CO., of ChriHtehnrch, the Harvester Company secured agents of the highest business and personal standing, whose energy and enterprise, supported by the practical experience of everyone who has worked a M'Gormick, have made the merits of this harvester familiar throughout the agricultural districts of the colony. No better proof of the superiority of the M'Cormick need be given than the fact that for the last two seasons Mr John Grigg, Longbeach, has bought these machines exclusively, and Mr Duncan Cameron, Springfield, has given his whole order for harvesters this season to Messrs Morrow, Baasatt, and Co. for M*Gormicks. These two gentlemen are the largest grain-growere, and there are no better farmers in Canterbury.

this season's m'cqrmicks, i which are now coming to hand — none too socn for the rapidly-approaching harvest — have some improvements which will commend themselves to the up-to-da*e farmer. The finger- J beam has been raised an inch, which will allow of rhe better handling of thort grain and grass , for seed. The divider is also dosed iv, to pre- j vent any short grain lodging in it. A fl'ited i roller-tension has been added to the binder j mechanism, so constructed that whilst keeping a firm and regular strain on the twine, it will j not clog with knots or other inequalities in the > manufacture. Another commendable point is j that theie is no friction o;i thetwiue or wear on j the tension. A number of minor alterations | fcsve been msde in the machine at the juggee- j tionsof the pgents to suit the harvesting of the crops under the varying conditions obtaining in New Zealand. Noticeably the main driving wheel is built specially strong, as ia also the ! grain wheel. A nsw and imp -rtaivt addition ' to the machine is , BASSETT AMD DAWSON's PATK.NT IJIFIIOVED ROTAKY DIVIDER, specially contrived and designed for successfully handling laid and tauglcd grain. It has an eccentric motion, that gives it a thorough command of the grain, and works it on to the platform regularly. The driving shaft is placed at the rear of the platform, under cover, and has a spring bearing to take up the slack of the driving ropa automatically. It has also the advantage of beiug easily detached in about five minutes by the driver when not required. The new divider may be summed up as effective, fcimple, and cheap — three qualifications required to harmonise with the recognised features of the M'Corrnick machine. Messrs Morrow, Bassett, and Co. are iutroducing THE HIGHT-HAND CUT M'COHMICIC HARVESTER to the colony, and doubtless it will not be long ere the machine will supetsede the one now in use, as it has dene in the United States. As a matter of fact, the left-hand cut machine is vow only manufactured to order for the Australasian colonies, and most of the hat vest ing machine makers are now turning their attention to the right-hand cut machine, the M'Gormick Company being in the lead in this respecb as usual. The reason that harvesting tnachiues are the culy left-handed implement on the farm is because when hacd-binding reapers were first built it was more convenient for the binders to 6tand aud bind on a left-hand machine than on a right-hand. Mowers do not and never have cut l«ft-handed, and the binders will not do so very much longer. Messrs Morrow, Baesetb, aud Co. hive slceady some of the right-hand machines on trial, and they are said to have given every satisfaction. Next year there will probably bs a large importation of them. "While in the main the right-hand cut machine is built on the same substantial lines a3 the ordinary M'Oo'rmick harvester, there are several essential points of difference. Firstly, it is built with an open back, and length of grain makes no difference to it ; the reel extension is ppecially designed for long straw, and has a very wide and easy adjustment. The binder has great i-cope for long or short grain, and the butter works automatically with the binder, thus doing away with a butter lever ; the elevators have five rollers, thus giving the apron a greater hold on the grain, the apron being prevented from sagging by the extra roller ; the grain knife is fitted with a spring catch to the head, making it readily detachable in changing the knife ; and the pull connections are all fitted with spring catches, so as to effect a great saving in time in changing from the transport to paddock work. The machine all through is constructed very strongly, and is in every particular worthy to maintain the high reputation of the M'Cormick harvester.