126 Report on Implements at Liverpool, and on 
After the dynamometer and other tests of machinery, the 
Judges have usually summed up and tabulated the points of 
merit of the respective competitors, the position in the scale 
under each point having been estimated at a certain number, 
perfection being represented by a fixed quantity. In this case 
the several heads under which merit was defined were (1), weight 
and draught ; (2), efficiency of operations and simplicity of 
mechanism ; (3), quality of material and workmanship ; (4), 
clearing horse-track ; (5), price. On this occasion, however, the 
Judges, after mature deliberation, determined to issue no further 
comparative estimates on the specific details of the distinctive 
merits of each than are supplied by the table. A careful 
analysis of the figures will show that in point of simplicity of 
mechanism and efficiency of operation W. A. Wood stands 
well in front of both his competitors, who seemed to be about 
equal, although these deductions from facts I should certainly 
modify by placing D. M. Osborne before C. H. McCormick 
in both points. In weight and draught Osborne shows a 
slight advantage over W. A. Wood, and a considerable one 
over McCormick ; the advantage, however, is so small that it 
is not appreciable during actual work by an observer. All 
being American machines, it might be presumed that the quality 
of material and workmanship in each would be pretty much the 
same, but inspection shows that in this point W. A. Wood 
has the advantage over both his opponents. In cutting close 
up to the standing corn and in clearance of the stubble his 
machine is perfect, not a single ear or straw being scattered in 
an acre. McCormick and Osborne are but in the slightest 
degree inferior in this particular, their work being, practically 
speaking, if not perfection, as good as need be. I am convinced 
that this point of merit which attaches to a good sheaf-binder 
is one which is not at present at all estimated prope/ly by 
practical men. It will in the course of another year's experience 
be considered one of the greatest advantages which the present 
system presents, and will put the sheaf-binding reaper in a 
distinct category from even the best self- or manual-delivery 
reaping-machine. The gain will be first in the saving of the 
expenses of raking, which operation will be quite unnecessary 
over so clean a stubble with sheaves so securely bound ; and, 
secondly, in the gain of two bushels per acre in the sheaf-corn, 
which otherwise in all the ordinary processes now employed, 
whether by scythe or machines, is gathered into " rakings," and 
very frequently entirely spoiled, but in all instances is of inferior 
quality to the bulk of the crop. The cost of McCormick's 
machine and that of W. A. Wood's is 60/. each, whilst the price 
of Osborne's is 50/., a slight advantage which will disappear 
