90 



proceeded to cut a double swatli through the field, a distance of 

 more than forty rods. The general characteristics exhibited at 

 this trial were not Avidely diiferent from those presented in the 

 former trial. It may, however, be stated, that it was in this ex- 

 periment that the Russell machine, although unfortunate at the 

 start, made the best work of any machine on the ground during 

 the day. 



THIRD SCENE. 



A trial of the Single Horse 3Iachines. — Machines of this char- 

 acter were present, of the Ketchum, Manny and Russell patents. 

 The cutters, being more limited than those attached to the two- 

 horse machine, served to obstruct, to some extent, that easy play 

 and freedom of action, which characterized the larger machines. 

 Although they did not seem to execute much more than half as 

 much as the larger machines, they seemed to require two-thirds 

 as much power to drag them. The result was, according to our 

 observation, that while, previous to the trial of the single machines, 

 there was a general desire to see their performance, after it was 

 concluded there was an equally general disappointment. When 

 the machines shall have become perfected, as they will be in the 

 course of years, a single horse will be able to manage them in a 

 manner that will satisfy such expectations as were last Tuesday 

 aroused, only to be disappointed. 



FOURTH SCENE. 



The beautiful and well-trained horses of Adriance & Co. were 

 successively harnessed to the several competing machines, and 

 made a bout under the hand of the various drivers who had offi- 

 ciated when their own horses were employed. 



The whole affair was impromptu. The conditions of the pre- 

 mium were broad and unrestricted. A full half of the spectators 

 had probably never seen a mowing machine before, and not one 

 in five ever before saw one in operation, and it was doubtful, at 

 one time, if the grass would be visible when the day of trial came. 

 But a kind Providence, with its rains and numerous merciful in- 

 terpositions, caused a result which should satisfy all the wise and 

 moderate who were present on the occasion. 



