Report on Sheaf-Binding Machinery at Shrewsbury. 63 
machines parked in a clover field situated in the centre of the 
trial fields, and to be ready for work when called upon on the 
following day. 
Trial of Independent Sheaf-Binders. — The Stewards deter- 
mined to take the trials of " Independent Sheaf-Binders" as 
the first order on the morning of the 7th. A field of oats 
containing three acres had been secured on land near Preston, 
jSIontford, in the occupation of Mr. G. B. Lloyd. The crop, 
which was not heavy, had been cut in three sections by a self- 
delivery reaper, and the sheaves delivered in fair form. Only 
two machines were forthcoming. 
These were exhibited by The Notts Fork and Implement 
Co., Ranskill, Bawtry, Nottinghamshire, Article No. 195 ; and 
by Messrs. Kingsford, Fairless and Co., of Acre Road, Kingston- 
on-Thames, Surrey, Article No. 198. 
The former machine commenced to work where the reaping- 
machine had finished, the horse travelling by the butt-end of 
the sheaf, and the machine lifting the sheaf on the left side. 
At the end of the first time along, which was down hill, a loose 
sheaf was thrown off, and a little piece laid end on stopped the 
machinery, which took some time before operations could be 
resumed. On the return journey, which was up-hill, quite 
half the sheaves were untied, and every time the tripper was 
brought into action the side-draught was so great, that the 
shaft was brought bang against the side of the horse, and 
diverted the poor animal from the straight course he was hope- 
lessly endeavouring to pursue. In the second round, eight sheaves 
were missed, and horse and machine travelled over the pre- 
ceding row of sheaves that had been delivered loose. In the 
middle of the third round the string came out of the gripper, 
and ceased to attempt to tie. Those sheaves which had a piece 
of string round them presented a great variety of shapes, but 
were all alike in being badly tied. 
The exhibitor was asked at this stage of the proceedings if 
he was satisfied with his trial, and he answered " quite." It 
need not be added that the Judges required no further trial. 
Messrs. Kingsford, Fairless, and Co.'s machine had shafts 
Avide enough to hold the biggest Shire mare in the most inte- 
resting condition. The weedy pony which had to do duty for 
a horse was in keeping with the want of fitness which pervaded 
this machine. When a start was made, the first seven sheaves 
were taken up and laid down loose ; a few sheaves had a piece 
of string placed round them somewhere — somehow. Not one 
sheaf was properly tied. When the machine got about half- 
way down the field a breakage occurred, which stopped further 
procedure : comment or description is unnecessary. The trial 
