298 
Report on the Exhibition and Trials 
siderably heavier than either of the Silver-Medal machines. 
Another noticeable feature is the comparative uniformity of 
weight and size. In both these important points McCormick's 
machine takes a strong lead. There is one other remark that 
may be made as to the comparative weight and girth of McCor- 
mick's and Wood's sheaves ; although the latter average one- 
half heavier, they only exceed in girth by about 10 per cent., 
proving that they were more tightly tied, a result which was 
anticipated from the action of the packers, which appear to give 
the sheaf a greater squeeze than is the case in the Appleby 
packers. As far as the breaking-strain is an indication of a 
superior knot, McCormick again comes to the front. 
A preliminary trial in a very light crop of wheat was made 
by six machines on Tuesday night. 
On Wednesday the morning was fine, but several rather 
heavy showers interfered with the work up till noon, after 
which a brisk wind and sun rapidly dried the wheat. Four 
machines were sent into 2-acre plots of wheat, thin on the 
ground, and leaning so much that cutting all round was 
not possible in every case. The machines were Samuelson's, 
Wood's, McCormick's, and Johnston's — the latter having only 
an acre. Wood's machine did better than in the oats, but 
a number of sheaves were unbound ; there was a good deal of 
scatter, and the separation was not good. McCormick's plot 
was not easy to work, as the corn leaned over more than the 
others, necessitating one-way work. The knife was very blunt 
and the cutting very bad, but the binding and separating were 
again decidedly superior, and, as this machine had taken a 
decided lead throughout the trials in those points as to which 
we were called upon to decide, it was considered unnecessary 
to carry on any further trials. The Johnston Harvester Com- 
pany and Samuelson had run so close that it was thought 
desirable to give them another test, and as King had got bis 
machinery so far " tuned " that he had done much better on 
a small plot of wheat than hitherto, it was decided to send 
him in as well. A stout crop of wheat of Mr. Radford's was 
available. The wind was rough and the work was difficult. 
Now Samuelson had the worst plot to cut, though not the 
heaviest, and, barring the breaking of the lever-arm (cast 
metal), which throws the binding apparatus automatically into 
gear, made very creditable work. The Johnston Harvester 
Company, in an easier plot, did extremely well, and, as merit 
was so equally divided, the Judges recommended, and the 
Stewards sanctioned, the award of the Silver Medals, highly 
commending the binding and separating mechanism of King's 
machine. 
