The Agricultural Features of the Paris Exhibition. 275 
much improved since last year that as a wire-binder it leaves 
little to be desired. Mr. Walter A. Wood's celebrated binder 
was also forward, its ingenious and efficient construction attract- 
ing much attention. This machine, the first of the kind which 
came before the public, has also undergone some improvements 
since last year, and is drawing a large trade to its enterprising 
maker, whose output of separate machines in 1875 was over 
23,000. Of Mr. Wood's well-known reapers and mowers there 
was a large and interesting display. Their superior construction 
and finish were generally and favourable commented upon, and 
we observed some small improvements. In some the plan of 
removing the knife has been simplified ; one has been improved 
by a modification of gearing, which is placed on the spindle ; 
the cutter-bar in another is attached both to the frame and to 
the cover in front of the knife-crank, which secures greater 
strength. An arrangement has also been introduced for con- 
trolling the rakes, which may be made to work automatically. 
The Johnston Harvester, shown along with a collection of other 
well-finished machines, by the Johnston Harvester Company, 
of Brockport, New York, came in for a fair share of attention. 
This ingenious machine, by its light draught, durability, and 
efficiency, has gained a good name in France ; and recently it 
has undergone some improvement. " The main frame is 
connected with the pole by a leverage, and works up and down 
as required on an upright shaft, the pitch of the fingers being 
regulated by a second leverage, which acts on the hind part 
of the platform. The rake shaft is driven by a pitch chain, 
regulated by tension pulleys." A recognised authority gives 
it as his opinion that a change of trip-wheels is desirable 
in order to alter the action of the rakes. A string-knotting 
machine, made and exhibited by this firm, formed one of the 
leading novelties in the agricultural implement department. 
The mechanism is very ingenious and, of course, complicated, 
but it seemed to stand the tests admirably. Messrs. Warder, 
Mitchell and Co.'s New Champion Mower had many admirers. 
This machine is a conversion from the hay-maker's mowing 
I machine of Otis Brothers, of New York, which attracted much 
attention at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, and was 
favourably reported upon in this Journal by Mr. Coleman. Its 
I peculiarity, says that well-known authority writing elsewhere, 
consists in motion being communicated to the knife through 
two wheels, one fixed on the axle, which revolves, and the other, 
'fixed on a gimble joint, which has a wobbling motion, just like a 
cheese-plate when made to revolve. Consequently six or seven 
I of its teeth are always in contact with the driving-wheel, which 
I has one more tooth, and thus the motion is produced, which by 
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