264 Report on the Trials of Reaping Machines at Leamington, 
the heel or angle of the finger-bar and drag-bar with the outer side of the 
main frame, which is mounted upon the driving-wheel, — this parallel motion.' 
allowing the finger-bar and platform to be raised or lowered, and at the same 
time preserving the upright position of the main wheel and its frame. Thus, as- 
the machine is not raised and lowered upon the main wheel, all heavy brackets,, 
stud or hollow axes, and screws or other appliances for adjusting are avoided, 
and the main frame is exceedingly light. The crank shaft is placed outside 
the main wheel, which is of three feet diameter, and the connecting-rod passes* 
behind this wheel. To allow for the variable angular position or tilt of the 
finger-bar, a universal joint is provided at the crank-pin end of the connecting 
rod, and a ball and socket joint at the end taking hold of the knife-bar. The' 
fingers are at 3-inch intervals, and this distance is also the extent of travel- 
of the knife. Two speeds are provided, being very simply effected by reversing, 
a double-bevel pinion side for side. The width of cut is 5 feet, and the breadth 
over all 8 feet 11 inches ; but the platform can be folded upright for travelling. 
The off-side is carried by a castor wheel, easy in turning, and this is fitted with 
a very clever contrivance for ready raising and lowering. The delivery-motion 
axis is carried upon the drag-bar, and preserves always the same position 
relative to the finger-bar and platform attached. It is driven by a chain-gear, 
and the five arms are adjustable as gatherers or deliverers by a change of 
pinions on the gear which actuates the switch movement on the cam. 
In the trial every fourth rake was set as a deliverer, some of 
the sheaves were well laid, but many with wisps or tails lying 
across the butt ends. One stoppage was occasioned by a stone,, 
and another occurred in crossing a furrow. 
No. 10. — Messrs. Hornsby's Five-armed Controllable-delivery "Spring- 
balance " Reaper (463 Catalogue number). In this machine the driving-wheel 
is of 2 feet 6 inches diameter, with 8-inch plain tire; the width of cut is 
5 feet 3 inches, and breadth over all 8 feet 2 inches. The crank, with thrust 
of connecting-rod upward, and the gearing are similar to those of the machine 
No. 469. 
In the trial the delivery was at first by every fourth, and them 
changed to every third rake, — making a moderate delivery, in, 
some places much littered or trailed between sheaf and sheaf. 
Some ears were cut off on the north side of the plot. This was 
in a very thick and good part of the crop, guessed at six quarters 
yield per acre, and very heavy indeed to stand. One stoppage 
occurred from the near wheel running in a low furrow, and 
bringing the fingers and knife too close to the ground. 
The Self-delivery Reaper (2453 Catalogue number), exhibited 
at Birmingham by Messrs. Richard Bicherton and Sons, of the 
Old Tweed Implement Works, Berwick-on-Tweed, having been 
broken by an accident, did not appear at the trials. 
Of the ten machines tried in Class 1, the Judges decided to 
select six for second trial, namely, Messrs. Hornsby's machines, 
Nos. 469, 466, 467, 464, and 463, and The Johnston Harvester 
Company's Reaper, No. 378. 
The second trial of these selected machines was made on 
Wednesday and Thursday, August 16th and 17th, in a good 
