THE GENESEE FAEMER, 



(Englfeji Slgitiilturnl 3}mB. 



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Reaping Machines in England. — "We were not surprised at the success of McCormick's Reaping 

 Machine in England, but we were certainly surprised that it should gain such a decided advantage 

 over Ilussej's as for a time to throw it entirely in the shade. "We were sati3fied cither that Iliibsey's 

 Machine was not in proper order, or was managed by some one ignorant of its use. The latter appears 

 to have been the ca.se, according to the London Farmer's Magazine, from which we quote the following: 



"A porter from the exhibition, [possibly a cochiej/,] who had never seen wheat in his life, was on 

 the first trial sent to work Hussey's Machine, who did not know how to set it; the consequence was, 

 it loft a high stubble and did not work well. McCormick's had a better fate, and won the ' Great 

 Medal.' IJence he challenged the world, at the Cleveland Agricultural Society, and IIussey or his 

 agents accepted the challenge. Twelve practical farmers were appointed to decide on the merits of 

 each. The day was fixed, and though it was most unpropitious, yet a vast concourse of people assem- 

 bled ; and though it rained .'cats and dogs,' with a strong wind, yet the small, snug, simple, Hussey's 

 Machine cut down its breadth of corn closely, evenly, and well. It was a triumph! Two horses 

 walked gallantly away with the maclune, nor did it seem to distress them, while little effort seemi-d 

 to be necessary to receive the corn from the well arranged platform on which the lancets, for sucli 

 they are, left it after cutting. There were no ugly and ponderous flappers — no array of useless work, 

 l)ut a condensed, simple arrangement of parts necessary to effect its purpose. McCormick's JMachine 

 cume next to the ti-ial ; but itwould not work at all. It operated more like a roller ; it refused to 

 cut the corn ; and the trial was abandoned." 



The jury, on account of the unfavorable state of the weather, separated without making any award. 

 Another day was fixed, and the machines tried on wheat and barley; when the jury unanimously 

 decided in favor of Hussey's Machine. 



"By a vote of eleven to one, Hussey's Machine caused the least waste, did the most work, leaves 

 the cut corn in the best order for gathering and binding; and unanimously, that Hussey's is best 

 adapted for ridge and furrow, and at first cost is less price, and least liable to get out of order." 



American Plows in England. — A ' ihe Storrington Farmers' Monthly Meeting, the subject for dis- 

 cussion was "Agricultural Implements, and Horses." AVe give a few extracts: 



"Mr. Hardwick said : 'The first and most impoi'tant implement on a farm is the plow. It is made 

 on various principles adapted to the different soils and purposes for which it is required. Hence it is 

 impossible to point to any one particular plow, and say, "This is best,' unless the description of soil 

 and the precise operation it is to perform be at the same time pointed out. ^ 



" 'The roller is also an implement indispensable to the agriculturist. A wooden one — though in 

 my opinion not so good as an iron one of larger circumference, and in two. parts — is most extensively 

 used, the first cost being small. 



" 'The drill is an implement extensively used in depositing the various seeds. Many think there is 

 great advantage in drilling over the broadcast system. My own opinion is, that the difference in tlie 

 two systems, if carefully noticed with regard to the weight of the crop, would be found to be very 

 trifling. I am, nevertheless, of opinion that the drill in many cases is a very useful implement.' 



" Mr. Lear said : ' I will just draw your attention to th.e American plows, which perliaps some of 

 you have seen at the exhibition. That they have been pretty well ridiculed I know ; but that does 

 not detract from their value ; and I am inclined to think they are well adapted for the work they are 

 intended for. The turn-furrow is exceedingly well shaped, and in fact is a business-looking thing 

 altogether.' 



"Mr. "W. Battcock said if any of them had an inclination to inspect one of these plows, it might be 

 seen at Major Sandhaw's farm, and also some work it had performed. He [Mr. B.] was ]ierfcc11y 

 satisfied of its usefulness on light soils, for preparing the barley or turnep season. It required but 

 one horse to draw it. [Hear,"hear. 'That's the sort we want.'] He was aware this could not be 

 done on heavy, stubborn land; but for the purposes he had mentioned, it appeared to him a very 

 useful implement." 



From a private correspondent we learn that farmers generally are putting forth all their energies 

 to meet the low price of their products caused by the removal of protective duties. They are grow. 

 ing more green crops and keeping a larger stock, and are thus able to make ends meet The contem- 

 plated alteration in the franchise will strengthen the free trade, manufacturing, liberal party, and so 

 relatively weaken the landed interest. 



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