110 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



impair the durability of the seam, and often the beauty of the garment or other 

 article so stitched. 



That, therefore, while by 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th classes of machines, we do not 

 mean to express an actual and positive order of merit, of the classes as such, but 

 to consider these classes as in some respects ranking side by side; yet, in other 

 respects, we believe that in a degree such order of priority of merit does actually 

 hold; since we are led to consider the machines making the shuttle or lock-stitch 

 as doing generally work presenting the greatest number of desirable qualities, 

 and giving for general purposes the best satisfaction; as also to look upon the ridge 

 of thread left on the back of the fabric, by double chain-stitch machines, as being 

 objectionable for some kinds of work, while, however, some other machines can 

 be thus used very successfully for embroidering purposes; and to regard the tend- 

 ency to raveling in all single thread stitching, as hitherto executed, as constituting 

 a serious objection to its employment for many of the kinds of work required. 



That, therefore, guided by these views, and by the printed instructions of the 

 Institute, we decide in relation to the several classes as follows : 



In Class I. — Shuttle or lock-stitch machines, for family and light manufactur- 

 ing purposes, including Nos. 355, 424, 464, 482, 540, 677. 



That No. 482 [Wheeler & Wilson's] is the best, and in our opinion deserving of 

 a first premium — its construction being simple and highly perfected, working accu- 

 rate, speed high, and character of work done excellent, while its price is slightly 

 lower than that of some others in the same list. 



That No. 464 [Finkle & L3'^on] is the second best, possessing in a high degree all 

 the qualities desirable in a machine for family and light manufacturing work, and 

 in our opinion worthy of a second premium. 



That No. 355 [Ladd, Webster & Co.] is the third best; and we beg to state 

 particularly, in respect to this machine, that for certainty and beauty of working, 

 for the excellence of the stitch, the fineness of thread it can use, as well as for 

 other points of merit, it has no superior; so that did it at the same time possess 

 in a higher degree speed of working, we should have felt compelled to award to it 

 a place higher in the list. Even with the medium speed now attained by it, we 

 consider this machine deserving of high commendation. 



That Nos. 424, 540, and 677 have been examined, and are not recommended for 

 premium. 



In Class No. II. — Shuttle or lock-stitch machines, for heavy and general manu- 

 facturing purix)ses, including Nos 370, 355, 464, 541, (some of these being entries 

 by the same parties as in class No. I, but of the larger styles of machines). 



That No. 376 [First & Frost] i.s the best, and in our opinion deserving of a first 

 premium ; and we desire very particularly to commend the mechanical ingenuity 

 and skill evinced in this machine, the novel and excellent contrivances employed 

 for giving movement to the needle-bar and securing perfection of stitch, and the 

 general accuracy, certainty, ease, and noiselessness of its movements, and to state 

 our conviction that, though (uite a recent invention, and as yet finished only in 

 large machines for heavy work, it has in it the capability of becoming also one of 

 our most desirable and useful machines for family sewing. 



That No. 404 (Fin cle & Lyon), same as second in class No. I, is the second best. 



That No. 355 [Ladd, Webster & Co.], same as the third in class I, is the third 

 best. 



That No. 541 [Jno. H. Lester] though capable of doing extremely heavy and 

 strong work, has not appeared to the committee to operate with either the degree 

 of certainty or ease desirable for its purposes. 



