276 
Report on the Exhibition and Trials 
cutter, at the proper time engaging the string, and later drawing 
it back, cuts and retains it for the next sheaf. 
The starting of the tjing-gear is effected when the bundle of 
corn is sufficiently large to j)ress back the spring-compressor, 
which then engages a lever which throws the spring-clutch on 
shaft No. 5, already described, into gear, and thus a uniform 
size of sheaf is secured, the size of which, however, can be regu- 
lated by altering the position of the lever into which the arm 
engages. The spring of the compressor can be regulated to a 
limited extent, so as to affect the density of the sheaf. 
The string is contained in a tin box with a hole or guide at 
the top, and is carried round under the table through an eye, 
and then between two tension-plates regulated by a screw. 
Manilla string at 8f/. per lb., which will resist a strain of 
100 lbs. per 2-foot length, is preferred to hemp, being less 
affected by weather ; lb. per acre is said to be sufficient for an 
average crop. The fact of a sheaf being passed untied, which 
occasionally happens, does not always or generally require the 
machine to be stopped. The string is held, and the next sheaf 
is encircled, knotted, &c., as before. It will be seen that 
this machine is entirely automatic in its action, any control by 
the driver being considered unnecessary. It might, of course, 
happen that in the act of turning the corner a sheaf might 
be dropped ; but as no feed is then supplied, the chances are 
in favour of the sheaf being carried. The design is most 
ingenious, and though at the trial this machine did not succeed 
so well as others, its merit is very great, and it is needless to 
add that it is admirably made. And so great has been the 
success of this machine, that it is stated that in the year 1881, 
10,034 have been sold in all parts of the world. 
Mr. H. J. H. King has been at work on String Binders longer, 
probably, than any other English maker ; and though his present 
machine is very far from perfect as to finish and smooth work- 
ing, being somewhat roughly constructed, and therefore not as 
yet capable of doing successful work, he has achieved a decided 
success in two important points, viz. in the perfect separation 
of the sheaf that is being made from the inflowing grain ; and 
in the tying mechanism, which hardly ever failed in the trials. 
It is not too much to say, as regards these points, that, had the 
construction been equal to the conception, nothing could have 
prevented Mr. King's taking the gold medal, but, inasmuch as 
tlifi machine was continually in difficulties, owing to defects in 
construction, requiring, as Mr. King rather humorously de- 
scribed it, a little more tuning, all that was possible was to 
highly commend those points in which its excellence was ap- 
parent. I shall endeavour, by the aid of a series of drawings, 
