300 Report on the Exhibition of String Binders at Derby. 
It was quite impossible to get any valuable facts as to King's 
results, owing to his frequent stoppages for repairs and altera- 
tions. It was only on the third day that he was able to get 
along so that the public could fairly judge of the real merit of 
his invention, Mr. King thus explains the reason for his want 
of success : " Our misfortunes arose through having no arrange- 
ment to lock the gathering-arms in the position we wanted them 
to assume after the sheaf was thrown off, the consequence being 
that the gathering-arms, when the horses varied their speed, 
assumed different stopping positions, generally going round too 
far, and stopping the shower of grain falling upon the scale. 
This was the cause of the constant stoppages during the first two 
days. By introducing a little more friction we almost cured 
this defect, our work on Wednesday being in this respect very 
fair, though by no means perfect " ; and he adds that he regrets, 
with such a limited experience, going into the trials with the 
weighing attachment on. From what was done on the last day, 
it was quite evident that, if the machinery had been accurately 
made, the separation and binding would have been excellent ; 
indeed, as regards the latter, the result appears a perfect success, 
as the knot was always made, and fairly good sheaves produced. 
When properly constructed this machine must prove a valuable 
addition to our labour-saving novelties. Great credit is due to 
Mr. King for his perseverance under difficulties which would 
have daunted many, and we cordially wish his enterprise success. 
The Judges arranged a scale of points under the following 
heads : — 
1. Simplicity of construction and material. 
2. Security of binding ; uniformity, size and character of sheaf. 
3. Separation and delivery of sheaf. 
4. Ease of management and economy of labour. 
5. Freedom from waste. 
The notation of the four leading machines in all other trials 
was as follows : — 
McCormick 240 
Johnston Harvester Company | 2jg 
Samuelson ) 
W. A. Wood 196 
The award made on the evening of Wednesday was as 
follows : — 
The Gold Medal : The McCormick Harvester Machine Com- 
pany for their reaper and binder. No. 4400. 
Two Silver Medals : Messrs. Samuelson and Co., No. 4491. 
The Johnston Harvester Company, No. 4183. 
Flighly Commended: Mr. II. J. H. King (No. 4554), for 
principle of tying and separating sheaves. 
