The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-07-21
National Trial OF Keepers and Mowers.
QUIZ SYRACUSE CORRESPONDENTS.

National Trial OF Keepers and Mowers.
QUE SYRACUSE CORRESPONDENCE.
SYRACUSE, July 10, 1857
mo national trial Of reapers and was brought
practical conclusion yesterday; but is probable
days may elspse before the award the Judges win
given. There are many conditions upon which their
Judgment viii depend. Rapidty Of execution, to Anne
rican always great thing; and tho fancy farmer would
be very likely to give his SURFACES to tho "machine"
which should go the ground in least time. But the
kind Of work done, whether good bad, Indifferent, aud
the of power requisite accomplish it, technically
called "dran" and the comparative simplicity duraoi
lily and cheapness of the machine-a these are cons
dersions superior to that Of speed All the machines
have believe, been subjected 10 tests with reference 10
these points, by competent judges, who must compare
noses before making up verdict They keep their own
counsel and thus far have given nklng NJ their con
clusions.
Nevertheless II ia sufficiently obvious to observant
eve thai The contest has been reduced 10 very
limits; and public opinion far represented here has
probably very nearly not precisely anticipated the tina
award II should be explained that there are three kinds
Of machines entered for trial. First reapers, machines
exclusively for cutting grain second mowers, exclusively
for outing grass and third what art called combined ma
chimes, which, by slight notifications be used for
in which farmers feel nrest tince few of them
aord would desire to have separate mowers and reap
ers single machine could be made to do both kinds
work. Hence inventors have been anxious combine the
essential features Of both without sacrificing too much
weghtand ntricacy and must DO said To their credit
that they have succee led TO o wonderful degree.
The three principal prizes, therefore, areFs for the
best combined machne second for the best reaper; and
third, foi the beat mower. OF course, If the
IF utpA
best mower and reaper, il would be entitled only to
single prize Thus much explained, your correspondent
and Ball, Altman Co % single mower will secure the
first awards OF the judges and carry OF the three grand
medals bekeve that prize is to be given 10 the best
reaper with self rakng apparatus but the SELF rsking
pant, in all cases, has proved to be an utter failure
The trial has passed of with very little excitement,
cept amorg the exhibitors and inventors Instead of q
Of thousands to witness the test, ant
pasd but few hundreds made their appearance On the
first day. which number dwinded down TO few scores
on the last and all OF these nearly, If not quite parties
interested Very few farmers on the ground the
homo was no Joke broing in the hot sun in idle
star ing at slow operations with thermometers, and
other incompehensibe ome which told no story except
to the scientific eye And so the few farmers who came
speedily pulled their has over their eyes and went home,
expecting 10 " see II all in the newspapers"
The only incident OF particular Interest was an i'm.
promptd match Friday evening, at the close Of that
days proceedings between McCormcks reaper and Man
nys combined machine Both had cut the lots ssign I'd
10 them with entire success and clear that the other
machines, in lopular phrase, were Nowhere" On tlt
eve OF moving of, fowever, the Mccormick ms
chine, with four hcrs@ attached at the suggestion,
is aid OF your martial Contemporary Of the COURIER
10 attack part OF the ded where the grain had been
The jdd ges had assngned TO any machine. fact
thought could be cut at ALL unless by expert
GRADER The movement sled all Spectators ana many
who we're having the ground turn cd back TO witness The
bold feat Tho machine moved of successfully down the
seep deciviy through the uneven h)lov, up the other
SIDE disappearing ger the brow of the HILL only stopping
ltar lines ne
deponebt unknown" Az shs instant the Manny combined
machine came by; ts driver, at m ments glance, com
his machine, with only a sirgle attached into
the field, right on McCormoks track. There
order to es,:aip a Soos view Of The struggle AZ
In the former Instance the machine proved
equal TO its upderakios performing s With appa
rent perfect case, with no stoppage except monetary
for such timple a. jnstncnn the nature Of the
ground required Both machines pefor med their task in
equal time, and when the spectators vent on the della 10
example the work all parties conceded, and even our
martial "a friend Of the Mccormick interest,"
by the way) exclaimed that 1t was impossible to dis
hibttion.
There is no doubt ,ha, the various machines for cutting
grsss and grain have been carried 10 very high point OF
perfection ard must say that never saw finer or
intelligent Of than the large body OF invent
improvers which this trial has brought together
Upw ards 6 forty different machines were broogh 70 this
tewn, but NUMBER OF the weakest failcc to enter.
Your readers will form idea ofthe extent 70 which
the manufacture OF there machines Is carried when
that s compu ed by gooi autbo tiles that upwards or
So 600 engaged business Probably from 900
10 COO each o( hcCor micks Mannys and ketchume
chimes have been sod during the year. 10 nothing OF
large sales Of Aliens, Iymsns horgsn's and Kirby's-
all valuable and popular A number OF these manufae-
tarers unable 20 meet their orders, sDd OF the
establishments are realizing from 500, 900 70 100000
profe Per annum.
cannot conclude without expressing my belief that
trials ike that just termiDs ed In the MAN. humbugs
The pfoprieto OF all the leading machines Of the
opn on, and have doubt that several OF them
soud have preferred 10 have given 1000 each 10 the
Agr ssurl Society rather than to be compelled 10
here, OF large cost OF money and time w obtain what
muA becessafly be unsatisfactory result Ia
the nature OF thipgs, these trials made by " crack
machines" managed by experts, give very nnle
Idea Of their real every day value and performance
Any machine, well oiled, well shsrpered and well
managed with the AID OF powerful horses be made to
Gu, htle patch OF with greet despatch and effect
But the farmer his consecutive acres, wth
team thai worked daily, and which cannot stand being
"putNhrongh" on arot Amongst the mowers tried here
tbore some that got through with their acre rather
crcdiably but which by no possibility could have out q
second without breaking down outright Hence your
respondent concludes that "Nsona Trials Of Mowers and
Respers" are, In . general way humbugs. With which
conclusion he terminates his letter and ''mskes
tracks" for the aide 70 catch breath OF cool air. TO
which he has been stranger in this swclterng city
should add that Nc awards OF the Judges will be made
the ls OF September the Fair Of the uited Ag
cultural Society 70 be held that day, nj Louisville KY.
Additional from Mexico.
he New Or eana Zoe. July