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v.— Uae of Reapinri-BIachines. By Thomas Pakringtox. 



Stanwick Park, near Darlington, Sept, 1855. 

 Dear Sir, — Feeling sure that you will be pleased to learn that 

 the reaping machine to which the first prize was awarded at 

 Bristol, by the Royal Agricultural Society, fully bears out the 

 high opinion entertained of it by many who witnessed the trials 

 at Leigh Court, I have taken the liberty of forwarding to you the 

 copy of a report given by ]\lr. Parrington of trials on liis farm of 

 Lazenby at Stockton-on-Tees. Every one Avho is acquainted 

 Avith him will attach much importance to his opinion, in con- 

 sequence of his great intelligence and practical experience in the 

 use of reaping machines. 



I remain, &c., 



James Hudson, Esq. JoiIN WoOD. 



Having had Messrs. Burgess and Key's McCormick's reaping 

 maciiine at work on my farm for several days, and operating 

 upon a variety of crops, I have much pleasure in expressing my 

 entire satisfaction with its performances. 



I have cut with it autumn and spring-sown wheat, varying in 

 yield from 32 to 40 bushels per acre, some of it much lodged ; 

 also a very heavy crop of oats so much laid and twisted in parts, 

 that I thought it impossible for any machine to cut them at all. 



One pair of horses worked the machine easily day after day ; 

 they have to travel no faster than the ordinary ploughing pace, 

 and a boy of fifteen managed them without any difliculty. 



The machine is so constructed that there is very little wear and 

 tear going on ; it delivers the cut corn in a beautiful swathe, laid 

 so straiglit and lightly on the ground that the sheaves are quickly 

 gathered up — the swathe is evenly cut and \eit j)a>t}cu/arii/ clean. 



I found that the machine will cut in the manner I have 

 described from 1:^*0 1^ acres per hour; it is always cutting its 

 full width, viz. 5 feet 8 inches. 



I liavehad great expciience in reaping l)y machinery, and I can 

 honestly sav that Messrs. Burgess and Key's machine is on the 

 whole by lar the most perfect and satisfactory implement 1 have 

 seen. 



Luzcuhy, liCihar, Se^jt., 1H55. 



