552 ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW-YORK ' 



be sure, too, to pay particular attention to the value and peculiar 

 properties of manures — a point too much neglected, as a general 

 thing, among American farmers. 



In concluding he told sundry interesting anecdotes of his experi- 

 ence in London during the World's Fair. He was peculiarly racy 

 in his descriptions of John Bull's amazement at the success of the 

 American plow and of McCormick's reaper — two affairs the suc- 

 cess of which reestablished the fame of this country upon a firm 

 and lasting basis. He described at length the Queen's visit to the 

 American department, and expressed his pleasure at the Ir^^arest 

 displayed by her majesty. A few words of good counsol to the 

 farmer ended an address which was heard with great attention, 

 and heartily approved by all. 



A resolution of thanks was adopted, coupled with a request for 

 a copy of the address for publication j but from the many and 

 pressing engagements of Mr. Johnson he has been unable to com- 

 ply with the request. 



Trial of Mowing Machines. — ^A trial of mowing machines under 

 the auspices of the Society took place on Monday, June 30, 1856. 

 The field selected was about half a mile from Hempstead Branch, 

 and covered by a heavy crop of clover on wheat stubble, very 

 much lodged. Nine machines entered, viz. : 



Allen's Patent; Dietz & Dunham's cam-motion; Burrall's Pat- 

 ent; Whitenack's Jersey mower; Hulett's Know Nothing ; Weeke's 

 Patent; Manny's combined reaper and mower, improved; Manny's 

 four wheel reaper and mower; Manny's improved, used three 

 years. 



The following rules were laid down for the direction of the 

 judges : 



" They will take into consideration the cleanness of cutting; 

 lightness of draft; simplicity of construction; durability, and 

 least liability to get out of order. The speed of the horses not 

 to exceed an ordinary plow walk. No trotting allowed." 



Nearly six hundred persons w^ere present, who greatly inter- 

 fered with the trial; each machine seemed to have a drummer to 

 sound its good qualities and defame its neighbor; and we are sat- 

 isfied that these mowing trials, with so many persons around, and 

 who will not keep at a- proper distance, are not productive of 

 results beneficial to the farming interest. If there could be such 



