Haij and IStrau: Presses at Nottingham. 
587 
into the same rack-teeth which furnish the fulcra. When no more pressure 
can be given, the truss is tied with cord in the usual way and discharged from 
the lateral door at the bottom of the press. 
The leverage in the McKenzie Press was 1Q)\ to 1, which, 
taking the weight of the two men employed at 280 lbs., gives 
a pressure of 2 tons on the platten. Two men, one at each lever, 
worked the press. It was unfortunate that the men employed 
in the trial were quite unskilled in the use of this machine. 
Had it been otherwise, there is no question but that the imple- 
ment, which is extremely simple in construction, would have 
made a much better show. As it was, from fifteen to eighteen 
minutes were occupied in making each bale, whereas a couple 
of skilled men would, probably, not have taken half the time. 
The density obtained did not exceed -4|^;lbs. per cubic foot in 
straw, and Si lbs. per cubic foot in hay, while the cost of baling 
was correspondingly high. Under these circumstances the press 
was excused from final competition. 
Article Xo. 557 (Fig. 6, p. 606), exhibited by Joseph Bamher, 
of Saul Street, Preston, Lancashire. This press was, without 
question, the simplest machine on the ground. In ai^pearance 
it was just like an ordinary cheese-press, provided with a pulley 
and endless cord for obtaining a quick return of the screw. Two 
men operated the machine, compressing the materials by means 
of capstan levers, which rotated the screw. After compression, 
the platten was returned quickly by means of the pulley and 
cord, and this simple arrangement worked extremely well. There 
being no compression-box, the exhibitor was obliged to trim his 
straw bales with the knife, a practice which has already been 
discussed and condemned. 
The ratio of movement between the capstan lever and the 
platten was 120 to 1, which, assuming each man to exercise a 
force of 100 lbs. on the levers, equals a pressure of 10-7 tons on 
the platten. 
The output of this press was good, and the density obtained 
in both hay and straw relatively good also. The materials were 
left in good condition in the bales, while the power required was 
moderate, the two men employed being evidently capable of 
continuing the work all day without undue fatigue. The cost 
of baling was low in accordance. This press, which weighs less 
than 3 cwt., can be easily transported by a hand-cart, which 
adds 4:1. to its cost, but if two or more of the Bamber Presses were 
worked on a farm, one hand-cart would serve for them all, adding 
little to the first cost of the presses. The extreme simplicity, 
cheapness, and portability of this machine strongly recom- 
mended it to the consideration of the Judges, and to the 
