114 Transactions of the American Institute. 



TEST OF MOWING MACHINES 



SHOWN AT THE EXHIBITION OF 1870. 



The committee appointed to conduct a practical test or trial of the 

 mowing machines exhibited at the American Institute Fair in the fall 

 of 1870, having attended to the duties of their office, report as 

 follows : 



The trial took place on the farm of Samuel Sinclair, publisher of 

 the Tribune, at Croton, on the Hudson river, June 21st, 1871. The 

 field selected was a meadow recently underdrained (the ground in con- 

 sequence of recent rains being quite soft), in oats last year, and bear- 

 ing a burden of badly lodged clover and herd grass, which would 

 average at least. two tons to the acre. Four machines were entered 

 for competition, "Clipper," "Buckeye," "Sprague" and "Warrior," 

 besides several for exhibition. Each was assigned a plat 350 by 69 

 feet, in round numbers sixth-tenths of an acre, which they were 

 directed to cut in their own time and way 



Lot number one was mowed by the Clipper in nineteen and one- 

 half minutes. The grass, in common with that in the whole field, 

 was heavy and wet, and the machine, from some unexplained cause, 

 clogged, so that the driver was under the necessity of leaving his seat 

 frequently to clear the center bar. During the trial the suddeu 

 striking of the bar against a solid stem, broke and, for many minutes, 

 disabled the machine. The grass was well cut, the draft did not 

 appear to be heavy, and for light work and on smooth lands it is a 

 machine worthy of the highest recommendation ; but for all work, 

 with rough as well as careful handling, your committee do not deem 

 it of more than average worthiness. 



Lot number two was cut by the Buckeye. This plot had more 

 obstructions than either, and perhaps all the others. It was cut in 

 nineteen minntes, without any assistance from a second man and 

 without clogging. Twice it came in violent contact with hidden 

 rocks without damage. The work was well done and the whole 

 operation eminently satisfactory. 



Lot number three was cut by the Sprague, a new and successful 

 aspirant for popular favor. The plot had fewer obstructions than 

 that of either the Clipper or the Buckeye, and with a finger bar two 

 .and four inches shorter respectively (if we are correct), did the work 



