MESSRS. MORROW, BASSETT AND CO., AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT AND MACHINERY IMPORTERS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 11, 16 July 1897, Page 27

MESSRS. MORROW, BASSETT AND CO., AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT AND MACHINERY IMPORTERS.

One of our representatives paid a visit to the commodious premises of the above well-known agricultural implement and machinery importers, situated near the overbridge, and through the courtesy of the popular Dunedin manager, Mr. James Burrowes, some of the latest farming machinery which attracted so much attention during the Winter Show was brought under our notice and the various points explained. The first machine to claim attention was the Colonial combined grain, turnip, and manure drill, force or spoon feed. These machines possess new and much improved features, which unquestionably render them the best and most useful on the market. They are fitted with a new patent front and rear lift, which enables the driver to raise or lower the coulters from the seat on the front or from the rear of the machine as usual. It further enables frame or under-carriage to be constructed so that the grass-seed box can be placed in front or in rear of the drill box, and it can be removed to either position by any ordinary labourer in a few minutes. The grass-seed box is also made to lap so that it will sow the full width of the machine, and thus the missing, so common in the use of other makes, is avoided. They are also fitted with a new open back coulter, which gives plenty of room for the manure and seed conductors, and allows the coulters to be altered to any desired range or an^le without crowding or jamming the conductors. The coulter bars are of spring steel, and are attached to the front draw-bar by & patent adjustable clip, which allows the coulters to be set to any width required. The manure feed is of very simple construction and wonderfully easy of access. By the unscrewing of three small nuts any one of the pans or feeders can be removed without the slightest exertion. For regularity in distributing all kinds and conditions of manures we can confidently say that this feeder has no equal. The next machine to come under notice was Sapwell's combined Daisy patent double drill plough, manure and turnip seed sower. The frame of the machine is constructed of 1£ inch angle steel, and runs on two wheels 28 inches high. The axle is fitted with a sprocket wheel and clutch, enabling the driver, by shifting the lever, to throw the manure or turnip canisters into or out of motion at pleasure. The mouldboards are of steel, with sharp cutting edges, and these can also be lifted out of the ground by a lever when shifting the machine from place to place. The manure canisters are made of very strong zinc, 20 inches in diameter at each end, and tapering to 1G inches in the centre. To prevent the manure from escaping at the ends, an iron band is turned up, which revolves between two steel plates. At each end of the canister a hopper is fixed to receive the manure and feed the canister, which holds 1£ cwt. The manure is discharged from a small hole on the bottom of the two steel plates, fitted with a slide to regulate the quantity. A sharp sliding tooth is affixed, which forces the manure out as the canisters revolve between the plates. Unlike most of the manure sowers in the market, the Daisy patent will sow any kind of manure with regularity, whether coarse or fine, floury or sticky, damp or dry. The turnip seed canisters, fitted just behind the manure sower, are the same as in ordinary use. The seed rutters are fitted with a simple device, which regulates the depth and covers the seed, doing away with the necessity for rollers. The machine can be drawn with ease by a couple of ordinary farm horses, and will sow eight acres per day. Testimonials have been received from several of the moat practical farmers in Otago who are using the machine, which amply bear out all that is claimed for it. A very useful tool which was brought under our notice was Mawson's patent Lifting Jack, which weighs only 141bs. by it one man can easily lift upwards of a ton and as each one is thoroughly tested a great saving in muscular exertion is the result. The firm are also agents for the famous McCormick harvesting machinery which have a world- wide reputation and they have in stock large supplies of ploughs, disc harrows, hay rakes, chaffcutters, seed-sowers and various other farming implements, which are up to date in every particular. Farmers visiting Dunedin would do well to call and inspect the firm's premises where their experts will be only to pleased to explain cue various machines to them. Having finished with the farming machinery we were next shown the large stock of New Haven and Sterling bicycles for \\ hich the firm areagents, these machines have now been on the market for some time and there is an ever increasing demand for them, those who have used them being unanimous in saying that for durability, finish and general excellence they are unequalled. A fact worth mentioning in connection with them is that at Washington some time ago on a Sterling wheel. Mr. Shields, of Moonsocket, R.1., rode down the *teps of the west front of the Capitol, there being no less than 74 steps and three landings, the descent lasting only 15 seconds. The machine used did not loosen a bolt, or weaken at any point under the severe strain to which it was put. The firm will be pleaded to supply catalogues post free on application.

A Bill has just been introduced into the Legislative Council of Bengal for the suppression of rain-gambling. The practice appears to have been introduced many years ago. but it has spread so much tha* '„..«•■ Government have thought, it necessary to interfere. The gamblers assemble in the courtyards of certain houses, and bet on the recurrence of rain within a certain time. The proprietors of the houses are the '" bookies," who lay the odds against the event, and the public are the backers. The odds, of course, vary according to the general condition of the weather, and bets are decided by an apparatus which ivhisi rs the r ii::fall Even Mohammedan ladies, we .ire told, give way t > the te.npt ition, and female commission-agents are einphned by thr j ro,>ru-tors of the different gambling establishmeats. The instrunu-nts of gambling scheduled in the Bill include the tanks, spouts, and clocks used,