THE MEW M'CORMICK OPEN-BACK MACHINE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 27, 22 April 1892, Page 27

THE MEW M'CORMICK OPEN-BACK MACHINE.

Thje M'Oormick Harvetting Machine Co: are usually to the fron l with any new device calculated *o improve harvesting machinery, and for the season! 1892-93 will bring oat an improved pattern reaper and binder, capable of dealing with all conditions of grain, on the hillside or plain, t A simple macaine on this principle, worked and thoronghly testad in America daring the past season, was shipped to tbe New Zealand agents, Messrs Morrow, Bassett and 00., who first competed a series of trials in Otago with this new machine , selecting tbe most difficult crops to be found for their operations. These trials were conducted uadsr the personal supervision of Mr Akeiman (of the M'Oormick Company) aad Mr Bassett, and extended ovsr some ten days in different localities. The first of these trials took place on the farm of Mr W. Todd, at Mosgiel, one of tqe Taieri's best known and respected farmers. The paddock selected was a heavy crop of wheat, grown on ground which last year threshed eighty bushels to the acre. Mr James Oaghton, also a well-known resident on the Taieri, handled the ribbons behind a grand team, tha property of Mr Todd, and without any preliminary took a fa'l swath and finished the plot without a hitch in any shape.

A stait was then made in an adjoining piece of wh eat that had been lai 1 with the late heavy rains, and which was fall of green undergrowth. The machine astonished the spectator* in the opening, oat round, as it went through without a single stop, the most notice, able feature being the freedom from chocking in the elevators in badly tangled grain. Mr W. Ou^hton, who is the happy possessor of MCcrmick '91 92 machine, this time held the reins, and tbe universal decision was that the machine excelled all its predeceeaors. The next start was made in a very hea&y pa-ido.sk of oats, also badly tossed about, tangled aad laid with thi ri n, and the ground was soft and spongy. An idea of this crop may be gathered from tbe fact that some of the sheaves measured 7ft in height, an i were so numerous that whea discharged they touched one another. Tha greater portion bad to be cat one way, bat the work was done wall, aid without any bitch or stoppage whatever.

There being perfect satisfaction with the machine in heavy crops it was then loaded and railed to Mr 0. Bowie's farm, at Ohrichton, six miles below Milton, where crops of wheat and oats, varying from lOin to 3ft high on the hillside were secured. These crops were handled with equal success, and the adaptability of the machine for handling grain on the hillside with the grain wheel, both up and down bill, fnite pleased the farmers who came to see it work. The owner of the farm, Mr Bowie, was so pleased that he gave his orJer for one of these machines for next season. Aftar catting at Mr Bovria's place for some two days and a half, the machine was more J to Mr Lowry'a farm, where a really good heavy crop of wheat was cat with a like xesnlt — "a great sncotss."

From the start, io some ten days' catting in all conditions of grain, the new M'Oornaick gave completa satisfaction, doing all that wm required without the slightest stoppage or bitch whatever, and the agents aie justly proud of its merits. In construction it differs somewhat from those supplied this season, bat retains all the special features of the steel wheel, pipe frame, chain drive, and tbe simple knotter that has now made such a name for itself. The new machine will be on view shortly at Messrs Morrow, Bisaett and Oos.' yards, Manchester street, Ohrietcharch.