and on Miscellaneous Intentions at the Birmingham Shoir. 201 
In the trial the delivery w as set for every fourth rake, depositing 
a bunch at every 20 feet, which, in that crop, made the sheaves 
too big; still the delivery was exceedingly good. No spring 
clearers were used upon this machine. An observation was 
made as to whether the somewhat sudden rising of the gatherers 
in front of the cutter-bar tended to whip out the corn ; but no 
fault of this kind was perceived, though it might be so where 
the crop leans very forward. The 4-inch to 5-inch stubble was 
beautifully cut. 
On Plot No. 3 was tried the " Excelsior " Four-armed Reaper (381 Catalogue 
number) of Messrs. Brigham and Co., of Tweed 1 mplcment \Vorks, Berwick -on- 
Tweed. This machine, cutting 4 feet 9 inches breadth, with a total width of 
8 feet (jj inches over all, has a driving-wheel of 2 feet 7 inches diameter, with 
a 7-inch-broad ribbed tire. The cutter-bar is in line with the main wheel ; 
the malleable iron ringers are riveted on the bar, the knife-sections are 3 inches 
w ide, and the throw of the crank is 3 inches, with the thrust of the connecting- 
rod upward. Lubrication of the crank-bearing is provided for by making the 
connecting-rod head as a box holding oil round the crank-pin. The toothed 
wheels are of malleable iron. The height of the fingers is adjusted by means 
of a bar connected with a rack with holes placed under the pole ; but the 
machine has to be stopped to make the alteration. The driver's seat is set 
out from the pole. The delivery is effected by two opposite rakes, which 
balance each other, and the gathering by two alternate arms which are jointed 
independently of each other; and the centre is placed a little backward of the 
line of the cutter-bar. There are two fixed cams or guides ; one carrying the 
gatherers, and the other directing the course of the balanced rakes ; this cam 
being so shaped that, when each rake is engaging with a sheaf, it has reached 
the lowest point, and traverses level over the platform. 
In work this machine made a fair cut, leaving 4-inch stubble ; 
but while some of the sheaves were laid square, others were 
scattered and spread in fan-form, with much litter between 
bunch and bunch. This was with a slippery straw, and encoun- 
tering only the natural leaning of the crop without wind. 
Toward the conclusion of the run, stuff began to wrap round the 
rake-gear. Allowance was made in consideration of a heavy 
laid hole at the north-west corner of the plot ; Messrs. Brigham 
were also unfortunate in meeting with a large stone, which 
gapped and broke a knife-section ; this was replaced, however, 
after some delay. 
No. 4. — Messrs. Ilornsby and Sons' Six-armed Controllable " Spring- 
balance " Reaper (466 Catalogue number) makes a 5-feet cut, with a breadth 
of 8 feet over all. The driving-wheel is of 2 feet 10j inches diameter, with 
?2-inch plain tire; the crank driving-gear similar to that of their machine 
No. 465 ; but differently timed. The fingers are 3 inches apart, and the 
throw of the crank 5j inches, with thrust downward. The centre of the 
delivery-motion is placed 3 inches backward of the line of the cutter-bar ; and 
the delivery is optional by every third, fourth, or fifth rake, by all, or none. 
The sheaves were fairly deposited off the flat platform by 
