STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 553- 



a thing as a trial, free from the presence and influence of special 

 manufacturing interests, it is quite possible that the practical 

 good sense of the farmers would settle down on some two or 

 three of the machines now so prominently before the public. 

 Nine machines were too many to try fairly and honestly, in one 

 afternoon, and from the crowding of the spectators it was almost 

 impossible for the judges to give to each machine the attention 

 necessary to the formation of an accurate judgment of the pecu- 

 liar qualities of each. 



Half an acre was allotted to each machine, and they went to 

 work about two o'clock, P. M. "Know Nothing" broke down 

 about the second time round, and was considered out of the con- 

 test. The others continued on until they had finished their por- 

 tion of the field. Burrall's machine was evidently under the 

 charge of a person who knew nothing about driving a mow- 

 ing machine. Concerning the working, there were as many 

 opinions among the farmers and judges as there were machines at 

 work — each had his favorite and all were favorites by turns. 

 Manny's, Whitenack's and Allen's seemed to be the favorites 

 among the farmers. Before the work was completed a dynamo- 

 meter was attached to each in succession, and the power required 

 to operate them was as follows : 



Length of cutting bar. No. Iba. draft. 



Burral's, 4 feet 8 inches, 321 



Allen's, _ 4 " 6 " ...336 



Dietz & Dunham's, _.. 4 " 8 " 348 



Manny's Improved, 4" 10 " 392 



" " in use 3 years, 4 " 10 " 398 



Whitenack's, 4 " 11 " 388 



Weeke's, 4 " 8 " 340 



Manny's four wheel, 4 " 10 " . _ 438 



The judges after mucli deliberation reported tliat "Manny's 

 Improved" has the preference for cleanliness of cutting, and best 

 ada])ted to tlie farmers' use, and was entitled to the first premium; 

 W]iit('na<-k's Jersey Mower, second premium, and Weeke's Patent 

 the third premium. They reported Allen's as doing good work, 

 but not as convenient to move about as Manny's. 



This was probably one of the f^reatest trials of mowing 

 macliines ever held, nine having entered, and considering that 

 the time was fixed in the middle of hay time, when most farmers 



