No. 112.] 127 



rate all the grain was concerned. Eut throughout these trials 

 the constant aim has been to avoid a reliance upon opinions: an 

 earnest endeavor has been used to ascertain and record facts in 

 relation to each machine with the nearest practicable approach 

 to mathematical accuracy, and from such premises to determine 

 merits and excellences. 



It would mislead the farmers of this State, and do injustice to 

 the inventors, if the results exhibited in the above table were al- 

 low'ed to stand as a correct exhibit of the ability of the several 

 machines to separate the wheat from the straw. 



It was obvious when inspecting the various parcels of wheat, 

 that a difference existed with respect to the quantity of grain and 

 straw in each ; some were free from grass and weeds, while oth- 

 ers were materially affected by them : another portion was much 

 injured by the wheat fly or midge, w^hile a part was free from 

 this insect. 



It seemed clear, therefore, that the table would present an im- 

 perfect test ; an incidental occurrence proved the truth of this 

 position. Messrs. Hall and Westinghouse were of opinion that 

 their machines were not accurately tested in relation to iime^ and 

 they were allowed to make a second trial. It was evident there 

 could be no difference in tlie ability of each machine to thrash 

 clean on the firsc and second trial, yet Westinghouse during his 

 second trial obtained 1G4 pounds of wheat from 748 pounds of 

 straw, equal to 21.9 per cent., and being one per cent, more than 

 on his first trial ; while Hall obtained 100 pounds of wdieat from 

 1000 pounds of straw, e(jual to 16 per cent., being 3.2 per cent. 

 less tlian on his first trial. Sucli discrepancies in macliines when 

 tried against themselves impair confidence in the test, although 

 we obtain useful matter for judgment and establishing compa- 

 risons. 



Tlie following table brinf]^s to view various interesting particu- 

 lars respecting the thmshing machines exhibited at Geneva : 



