Miscellaneous Implements Exhibited at Wavwich. 545 
ciple is so novel as is claimed. Instead of driving the pitman from 
a crankpin on a shaft at right angles to it, the head of the pitman 
works between guides, and has a projection on it, which engages 
in a cam path slot in the periphery of a wheel on the first motion 
shaft. This may do aAvay with one pair of wheels, but it is 
very questionable whether there is a corresponding saving in 
friction. A mere inspection of the machine leads one to the 
conclusion that it would be difiicult to protect the wheel (which, 
in the case of the machine exhibited, was not protected at all) 
suflBciently to prevent dust and dirt to some extent choking 
the slot, and certainly materially increasing the wear and friction. 
Nothing short of prolonged working would thoroughly test 
this. 
Article 1511. Messrs. Lloyd, Laivrence, & Co., 34 Worship 
Street, E.C. A Canadian machine, distinguished by the name 
of the “ Mercer Binder,” and manufactured by Messrs. Mercer 
Bros., of Canada, was exhibited by this firm. The special feature 
consists in dispensing with travelling canvas aprons for conveying 
the corn across the i^latform and elevating the same ; to do which 
travelling chains, with rakes attached thereto, travel underneath 
the platform and up the incline. These platforms are decked with 
thin sheet steel through slots in which the teeth of the rakes travel. 
The corn is further assisted up the incline by vibrating rakes 
driven by chain gearing. As soon as the teeth of the elevating 
rakes have delivered the corn to the packers, they recede from 
the slots and travel back to the conveyor table. 
Article 1841. Messrs. J. Bisset & Sons, Blairgowrie, Perth. 
With the same object in view — of doing away with canvas 
aprons — this firm exhibited a new reaper in which there are no 
elevating aprons, their place being taken by four endless steel 
chains, with prongs attached to them, the chains running in 
grooves so as to prevent the straAv becoming entangled. The 
height to which the corn is elevated is very moderate, and the 
adjustment of the binding table is very convenient, the end 
of it being left open (as in the case of many other machines) to 
accommodate long straw. The machine has evidently been 
designed with the object of doing away with all unnecessary 
weight, so as to reduce the draught. The impression given is 
that, had rather more weight been provided, the machine would 
have been better adapted for general purposes. 
Article 4314. Messrs. J. & F. Hoivard, Bedford, exhibited as 
a new implement a patent “ Open-end ” Sheaf Binder. 
The Judges, however, felt that as the Society is proposing 
to have very complete trials of this class of machiI^e next season, 
they could not deal with these exhibits. 
