296 
Report on the Exhibition and Trials 
livering the sheaf, the butts always first on ground, sheaves fall very 
lightly in consequence. The regularity of the form of sheaf is partly due to 
a shifting board for straightening the heads. 
5. Hovvaud's Machine. — Siring broke several times. Sheaves caught and 
hung. Missed tying 17 sheaves. 
6. AuLTMAN AND Co. — Attendant constantly helping off sheaves. Much 
scatter. 13 sheaves untied. 
7. King's. — Constantly stopping, principally because the collecting arm 
overran, evidently not in working order. Mr. King .continually tinkering 
without success. 
In the afternoon, notwithstanding the damp condition of the 
barley, a start was made. Some of the machines could not work 
at all, others, especially McCormick's, got through creditably, 
considering the very unfavourable state of the crop. On 
Tuesday a start was made about noon ; the corn being still 
somewhat damp. Those machines that could not get through 
the half-acre plots of barley on Monday completed their tasks, 
and generally did much better, as the grain was in fair condi- 
tion. The field containing 13 a. 1 r. 23 p., a heavy long-strawed 
crop of oats, varied considerably, being stoutest at the top end, 
and was laid out in five 2-acre plots. The very heavy rain of 
the previous night had partly laid the crop, and, owing to being 
somewhat over-ripe also, the heads were considerably tangled, 
making successful delivery very difficult ; this was a severe 
test, and the work was on the whole highly creditable. The 
notes that were taken may be briefly epitomised. In this 
trial time was taken and all details noted. 
1. Samuelson was the first to start at 10 o'clock, and had probably the 
heaviest piece of cutting ; two men were found absolutely necessary, one to 
drive and the other to watch the delivery and help off sheaves which 
otherwise dragged. The sheaves were somewhat rough. Grain knocked out 
by rapid motion of reel. Considering the length of straw and the weight of 
crop made a very creditable run. 
2. W. A. Wood. — Sheaves thrown off with considerable violence preju- 
dicial in an over- ripe crop. Heads of sheaves caught against corner of platform, 
and sheaves frequently hung together. Delivery bad and scatter considerable. 
Sheaves large, rough and heads and butts mixed. 50 sheaves unbound. 
Stopped 19 times. Crop rather shorter than Plot 1, but very heavy. 
3. McCoRMiCK. — Started with one man, but found it impossible to proceed, 
as machine clogged without a second attendant. Several untied sheaves, and 
sheaves himg, owing to binding table being too narrow. Fairly good work, 
crop lighter than Plots 1 and 2. Sheaves the neatest and most regular. 
4. Johnston Harvester Company. — Crop lighter and easier to cut. Tlie 
tying very good indeed, only four sheaves missed. Separation not good, con- 
sidering that the crop was so much lighter. 
5. Howard. — Separation very bad, string broke repeatedly, and a large 
number of sheaves were untied. 
The following Table, compiled by Mr. Courtney, the Assistant- 
Engineer, gives the principal facts as to this trial : — 
