The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-27

hcCormack's Reaping Machine.
This machine at tho Worlds Fnir achieved
worldwide reputation. but recently its merits have
been rivaled and contested by other American in
ventions for the same purpose. We fnd in the
Shefned Free PYess Of the 7th instant the follow
ing trial Of reaping machines, which took place at
Sheffield, ia England, on the occasion Of the IF
teenth annual meeting Of the Yorkshire Agricul-
tural Society;
The Re ApIsa G Rous Ds.-The ground act apart
for reaping one OF two fields near the old slit
ting mill, containing rather over three acres
very large concourse of people was here Assem-
bled early nine O'Clock; in short, every spot
available for a eight Of the reaping was speedily
occupied, and in some places crowded with spec-
tators. The reaping seemed to be the centre Of
attraction, aud many We're the remarks Of the by
ISLANDERS, some Of whom, more interested in reap
ing than the rest, chucked heartily at every
little obstacle which presented itself to the ma
chimes. The rain, which began 70 descend very
heavily shortly after ten O'Clock, continued for
come time, rendering the work more difficult A
quantity of corn WINS laid with the wet The
ground was not considered very favorable; and the
corn not being ripe, fair estimate OF the qualif-
cation OF the reaping machines could not be ar.
(Which was parcelled out into lots of about one
acre each;) one OF Hussey's, made and exhibited
by CrosskIll, of Beverly; one by Hussey, improved
and exhibited by Messrs Dray s Co, London;
Burgess and Key. London. Regarding the two
first named, there appeared to be but little diff
ference in their make; Crosskilrs, however, is
made for single horse; that by Burgess and Key
for two. horses abreast Crosskills having a shaft
and leader horse, made the whole three even in
point Of dragging power. The reaping began
about eleven O'clock. but owing to the corn in
some places being laid, several stoppages were
countered by Crosskill and Dray's machine, the
knives Of which were frequently cloggcd up. Con-
siderable time was also lost by their not making
q circle Of the corners. McCormack's was soine
time bchindhand in starting; but either from the
superiority OF the ground, (Which was not appa-
rent) or from that ofthe machine itsel it encoun-
tered no stopPages, and was never clogged in the
knives from the beginning TO the end Of the work.
This machine 10 very different in appearance from
the other two, and has more wood work about it,.
In addition, it has four wanda revolving front of
the machine, which catch the corn and throw il
forward TO the knives. The other machines, after
getting fairly started, did their work in very
good style; but in addition to the soppages already
noted, delay was occasoncd by their having to send
two after them to clear a ay the corn to ma Ike
clear road for the horses. The corn as thrown
from these machines. was said, by professional
men, to be rather better for binding into sheaves
than that from McCoimack's. If there was any
difference, 1t was SO trifng az to be iInperceptbie
to any but a very critical eye. The objections to
reaping machines are--frs, they leave the stubble
too long; secondly, they would not work ii small
enclosures; and thirdly, that they are calculated
particularly McCormack's) to shake out the corn.
On inquiring of the exhibitors, we found that the
knives can be 90 depressed as to cut the corn with
in two and q half inches of the ground; that they
work as well In small az in large enclosures; and
with regard to McCormack's, we arc assured il
does not shake out the corn more than the hand.
laborer would. After carefully watching the
wands. many Of the farmers present satisfied
that no threshing occurred with McCormack's.
The corn from McCOrmack's ia thrown out very
nicely, and in such way that the sheaves are at
once formed and ready tor binding, whilst, at the
same time, the raker throws it clear of the stand
n % nd fhep orh a,r
to remove II to make road for tho horses in COM
ing round again. In taking away the corners, the
driver Of this machine rounded them off, and thus
saved considerable amount OF time. At one
O'Clock McCormack's machine had completed It's
portion, about acre, the time occupied being
rather over an hour and half; Crosskl's had then
more than quarter of an mere to reap; and Dray's
more. just at this time, some of the
gearing Of the latter machine broke, and the pro.
prietor was unable to complete his portion. Mr..
Crosskili having completed his at twenty minutes
past one, reaped portion OF that remaining Of Mr..
Dray's. McCormaek's then went in and reaped a
quarter OF an acre in eight minutes! Mr.. Cross
kills machine, il 10 only fair say, completed the
last half OF the acre allotted to him in very short
space Of time compared with the former part.
McCormack's machine gained the great medal at
the exhibition, and subsequently several prizes at
agricultural shows. In short, it has now been ex-
hibited almost in every large town and agricul-
tural district in England. 1t was tried at Huggae,
on the 18th of September last In the
presence of eight landed gentlemen of that neigh
borhood, where II reaped on the farm of Mr.. Rich
ard Hobby, Of Huggate, an acre and bali Of oats
in one hour; and on the farm of Mr.. Carton, Hors.
ley, four acres and twenty nine perches OF wheat
in two hours and thirty minutes. On this occasion,
the grain (though fully ripe) was not knocked out
in either case. These facts are attested by eight
gentlemen present, as well as by the secretary of
the Farmers Club at Drifield. Reaping machines
are but in their infancy yet in England; but
there can be no doubt of their ultimate success.
They have answered well in America; but corn
there being 80 abundant, the farmer is enabled to
put up with little waste, which could not be al
lowed in England. Ifcorn is laid in America, and
the machine cannot touch it, the farmer can afford
to turn in his pigs and allow hem to eat it up. In
England we arc compelled to be more economical.
The defect of the machines with the fallen corn APP
peara to be that Of striking it further down. and 80
clogging the knives up. Much of,this was seen in
starting Messrs. Dray'e machine. This defect. as H
well as any other the invention may now have to
contend with, will be obviated, no doubt, by and
by, and other improvements added; when Il will
supersede the present mode of reaping, and there
BY enable the farmer to gather in his crops in the
shortest time, and at trifiing expense.