the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. 33 
the distance that the bolt section moves. Supposing the movement to be 
made up of 23 right- and 23 left-hand throws, we have 4b' cuts of the knife 
for every revolution of the driving-wheels, a speed which certainly ought to 
be sufficient, seeing that it is seldom exceeded. By reference to the Dyna- 
mometer Tables, it will be seen that this machine, No. 11 on the list, occu- 
pied an intermediate position as to draft; nine being lighter, and ten heavier, 
by no means bearing out the inventor's statement as to extraordinary light- 
ness of draft. And the appearance of the horses under work confirmed the 
reading of the dynamometer; they appeared to be doing harder work than 
the team that drew the 6-ft. Eureka machine. Practical experience would 
alone justify a decided opinion as to merit: of the ingenuity of the inventor 
in thus converting rotatory into a reciprocating motion, without the aid of 
gear-wheels, shafts, cranks, &c, there can be no question. 
I shall next notice a novelty in gearing, shown by J. F. Seiberling, of Akron, 
Ohio, in the Empire Mower. The gearing, which is on the main axle, mid- 
way between the driving-wheels, and nicely covered in a small watch-shaped 
case, comprises a spur-wheel and the pinion, each containing two sets of 
teeth, alternately and intermittingly arranged, the object being to secure con- 
tinuous pressure, and reduce leverage and friction. This mower was not 
brought to trial ; it was very quiet when running empty. There being only 
two wheels and two pinions, it ought to work well. There are some other 
commendable features, to be shortly noticed. The crank-shaft box is made 
of bell-metal, in a thimble form ; slit through on the upper side, so that 
the wear can be readily taken up by the pressure of a set screw. The pitman- 
box is on the same principle. The frame is cast in one piece. The finger- 
bar is connected to the main frame by a double-jointed coupling ; and, lastly, 
the cost is reasonable. 
Forsyth and Co., Dundas, Ontario, have an original arrangement in their 
Planet Mower and Reaper, which deserves notice. This consists in driving 
the bevel-gear, which actuates the crank-shaft, by three intermediate 
wheels acting between the driving-wheel and pinion. By this arrangement 
two shafts only are required. One argument for this design is, that the 
pressure being at three opposite points, the strain is always to the centre. 
The intermediate wheels are easily thrown out of gear, so that, when not 
working, only the main shaft revolves. They run loose. The studs are cast 
on the stud-plate, and the wheels slipped on. This machine was not brought 
to trial, and I therefore give no opinion as to its general utility. 
Warder, Mitchell and Co., who make from the same pattern as the 
Champion Machine Company and Messrs. Whitely, Fassler and Kelly, 
showed a small mower which made excellent work, and gave a good account 
of itself when tested as to draft. The knife is behind the wheels. The 
height of cut and the pitch of the knives, adjusted by double leverage, which 
can be brought into play whilst the machine is in motion. The gearing is 
well covered. The main axle does not revolve. The power is taken from 
lwth wheels ; the frame is of wrought iron, and strongly made. Short 
bearings of the wheel-axles ; the crank-shaft is of cast steel, with a bearing 
the whole length, and an oil-chamber in the centre. The axle is of cold 
rolled iron. The nut of pitman holder, furnished with a ratchet and spring 
catch, works in a ball and socket with large bearings. The wear is taken 
up by a screw ; at the other end a complete ball and socket. The fingers 
are forged solid, and the slot is cut out by a circular saw, sharpened and 
case-hardened. No steel plating is used. Width of knife, 4 feet 6 inches ; 
high speed of knife, 96 vibrations for each revolution of a driving-wheel 
32 inches diameter. It is stated that the three firms making the Champion 
machines — reapers, mowers, and combined machines — have capabilities of 
producing 30,000 separate machines per annum. 
VOL. XIII. — 8. 8. D 
