108 
Rejiort on the Trials of Sheaf-Binders 
others, exceeding McCormick's by 6^ inches. The lowest and 
most even stubbles were left by McCormick's, although all the 
work w as creditable in this respect. It will be seen that the mean 
draught in lbs. per inch-width of cut, which is the real draught- 
test, was practically identical in the two machines which alone 
were tried. The average weight of sheaves was in favour of 
McCormick's ; indeed, the difference in the up- and down-hill 
runs (the incline being very slight) was only '15, whereas in 
Wood's down-hill run the weight was increased nearly 4 lbs., 
being from 11'06 to 15 lbs. On the whole, it will be seen that 
the results fully confirm the award of the Judges. McCormick's 
takes the least power for given work. This is shown in the last 
column. For foot-lbs. work per lb. of sheaf cut we have an 
average of 562-2, whereas in Wood's this is raised to 612-5. 
We think, on the whole, the Society may be congratulated on 
the successful results of their trials. The time is coming, if 
it has not already arrived, when English farmers must have 
recourse to labour-saving machinery ; and enough has been 
done to show that practical efficiency has been obtained. In 
our Colonies, especially Australia and New Zealand, American 
Sheaf-binders have been largely introduced, and I am informed 
on credible authority that in certain parts of New Zealand the 
land has doubled in value in consequence. 
Miscellaneous Awards. 
The Council of the Society some years ago made a rule as re- 
gards the award of Silver Medals, which disqualifies any machine, 
however worthy and however improved in detail, if it is not 
entirely novel in principle, or has ever before been shown. No 
doubt there were good reasons for this strictness at the time 
when the rule was made, but we cannot avoid the conclusion that 
it is somewhat hard upon exhibitors, and has a tendency rather 
to check than encourage improvements. How often it happens 
that a machine is shown for the first time with features of great 
merit, yet so defective in certain points, that the Judges do not 
consider themselves justified in recommending it for award ! 
The exhibitor, educated by the advice he has received, or by the 
suggestions of his friends, goes home and remodels his inven- 
tion, and produces a really valuable and practical machine which 
supplies a want. He is now, wc maintain, much more worthy of 
notice than before ; yet he is shut out on account of this rule. 
Again, it may happen that the Judges themselves have some 
hesitation in giving their unqualified approbation of an entirely 
new machine, and would be glad to have the advantage of prac- 
tical experience. Satisfied on this point, they would gladly 
