170 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



present ; but the grass was not mown as low as seemed desirable 

 to the Committee. 



The Chpper mower for two horses did not arrive in time for 

 trial, being delayed in Boston ; and we much regret that such 

 was the case, as we had expected most excellent work from this 

 machine. 



Tlie trial of mowers for one horse took place immediately 

 after that of the two-horse machines, and at the trial on the 

 first day a majority of the Committee were of the opinion that 

 the Wood machine was entitled to the first prize. The Com- 

 mittee, after discussing the quality of the mowing, and the 

 difference in the tliickness of the grass upon the lots mowed 

 by the Wood and Buckeye mowers, concluded that there could 

 be no impropriety in allowing the machines taking the first 

 and second prizes (Wood and Buckeye) to work in reversed 

 positions on the second day of the exhibition. The owners, 

 or agents, cheerfully accepted the invitation to do so, and the 

 result of the trial on the second day was that, in the opinion 

 of the Committee, the Buckeye mower should receive the first 

 prize, and the Wood mower the second prize. On the first trial, 

 the grass on the lot mowed by tlie Wood machine was the thin- 

 nest and lightest of any lot mown, and that of the Buckeye 

 happened to be the thickest and heaviest. Tlie Committee are 

 of the unanimous opinion that the Buckeye mower cut the thin 

 grass as well as the Wood mower ; while, on the other hand, 

 the Wood mower failed to cut the thick grass as well as the 

 Buckeye mower. 



The Committee much regret that the Union mower for one 

 horse was withdrawn from the trial, in consequence of the 

 breaking of tlie connecting-rod. 



In viewing the lots of ground mowed by hand, the Committee 

 could form but one opinion, and that was, that most of the work 

 done appeared to have been done in a hurried manner — too 

 much so to exhibit the best skill. The mowing machine is 

 a great assistance, and relieves the farmer very much, yet we 

 see no chance for throwing the scythe aside ; and wo add, that 

 should another exhibition of this kind occur, we hope the list 

 will be full of competitors with strong arms and sharp scythes, 

 and that this indispensable part of farm-work will receive the 

 attention its importance demands. 



