Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-07-30
Correspondence. Of the New York Herald

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There are many conditions upon which their
Judgment viii depend. Rapldity OF execu-
ton, to an American, is always great thing;
and the fancy farmer would be very likely to
give his sufrages to the "machlne which
should go over the ground in least time. But
the kind of work done, whether good, bad, or
indifferent, and the amount of power requi-
site to accomplish it, technicaly called 'draft,
and the comparative simplicity, durability,
and cheapness of the machine-all these are
considerations superior to that of speed. All
the machines have, believe, been subjected
to tests with reference to these points, by COM
potent judges, who q" must compare notes .
before making uF a verdict. They keep their
own counsel, and thus far have given no ink
ling OF their conclusions.
Nevertheless, it is sufficiently obvious to an
observant eye that the contest has been re-
duced to very narrow limits and public opin-
ion, 80 far as represented here, has probably
very nearly, if not precisely, anticipated the
final award. 1t should be explained thai
there are three kinds of machines entered for
trial. First, reapers, or machines exclusively
for cutting grass second, mowers, exclusive
ly for cutting grain and third, what are call
ed combined machines, which, by slight mod
ifcstions, can be used for both purposes. Of
farmers feel the most interest, since few of
them can afford, or would desire to have, sep
arate mowers and reapers, if a single machine
could be made to do both kinds OF work.
Hence inventors have been anxious to COM
Dine the essential features of both, without
sacrificing too much to weight and intricacy !;
and it must be said, to their credit, that they
have succeeded to a wonderful degree,
The three principal prizes, therefore, are
First, for the best combined machine; second,
for the best reaper and third, for the best
mower. or course, even if the combined ma
chine were not only the best of its kind, but
also the best mower and reaper, it would be
entitled only to single prize. Thus much ex-
planned, your correspondent ventures to pre-
dict that J. Il. Manny's combined machine,
with Woods improvement. McCormick's
reaper, and Ball, Altman, & Co. g single now
er, will secure the first awards of the judges,
and carry off the three grand medals. be-
lieve that prize is to be given to the best
reaper, with self-raking apparatus but the
self-raking part, in Ill cases, has proved to be
an utter failure.
The trial has passed off with very little ex-
element, except among the exhibitors and
inventors. Instead of concourse of thou
sands to witness the test, as was anticipated,
but few hundreds made their appearance on
the first day, which number dwindled down
to few scores on the last, and all of these
nearly, If not quite, parties interested. Very
few farmers were on the ground, the fine har-
vest weather giving them ample employment
at home. 1t was no joke, broiling in the hot
sun, in idle staring at slow operations with
thermometers and other incomprehensible
ameters, which told no story, except to the
70 ~ c,u
speedily pulled their hats over their eyes, and
went home, expecting to "see it all in the
newspapers"
The only incident of particular interest was
all impromptu match on Friday evening, at
the close of that days proceedings, between
McCormick's reaper and Manny's combined
machine. Both had cut the lots assigned to
them with entire success, and it was clear
that the other machines, in popular phrase,
were "nowhere." On the eve OF moving off,
however, the Mccormick machine, with four
horses attached, at the suggestion, it is said
OF your martial contemporary of the Cou-
Tier, was seen to attnck part of the field
where the grain had been left standing,
the ground being so rough and steep that
the judges had not assigned it to any
machine In fact, no one thought it could
be cut at all, unless by an expert era
dler. The movement arrested all spectators
and many who were leaving the ground turn
ed back to witness the bold feat. The ma
chine moved off successfully down the steep
declivity, through the uneven hollow, up the
other side, disappearing over the brow of the
hill, only stopping momentarily two or three
times, tor some purpose $40 the deponent un-
known" AT this instant the Nanny com
bined machine came by; its driver; at mo-
ment's glance, comprehended the challenge,
and without stopping, turned the machine,
with only single team attached, into the
field. right on McCormick's track There
was general scramble for the tops of the
fences, in order to obtain good view of the
struggle. As in the former instance the ma
chine proved equal to its undertaking, per
forming its workwith apparent perfect ease,
with no stoppages except momentary ones for
such simple adjustments as the nature Of the
ground required. Both machines performed
their tasks in equal time, and when the spec :.
tators went on the field TO examine the work,
all parties conceded, and aven our martial ed
itor Ca warm friend of the Mccormick inter-
est, by the way) exclaimed, that it was inn
possible to distinguish between the perform
anees of the two machines. The whole af-
fair was a very pretty climax to the days ex-
hibition.
There is no doubt that the various machines
for cutting grass and grain have been carrND
to very high point OF perfection and 1
must say that never saw finer or more in
telligent set of men than the large body of
inventors and improvers which this trial has
brought together. Upwards of forty different
machines were brought to this town, but
number Of the weakest failed to enter.
Your readers will form some idea of the
extent to which the manufacture of these ma
chimes is carried, when | say that it is COM
puted, by good authorities, that upwards of
100000 is engaged in TIE business. Prob
ably from 5000 to 5000 each of Mccormick s,
Manny's, and Ketchum's machines have been
sold during the year, to say nothing of large
sales Of Aliens, Lyman's, Morgans, and
Kirbys-all valuable and popular. a num-
Der of these manufacturers are unable to
meet their orders, and some of the establish.
ments are realizing from $500, 10000 to $780,
900 profits per annum.
cannot conclude without expressing nv
belief that trials like that just terminated are,
in the main, humbugs. The proprietors of
all the leading machines are of the same opin-
ion, and l have no doubt that several of them
would have preferred to have given $4,000
each to the Agricultural Society rather than
to be compelled to come here, at large cost
of money and time, to obtain what must me-
cessarily be an unsatisfactory result. In the
nature Of things these trials made by "crack
machines" managed by experts, give very
little idea of their real every. day value and
performance. Any machine, well olled, well
sharpened, and we'll managed, with the aid
of powerful horses, can be made to cut lit
tie patch of an acre with great despatch and
effect. But the farmer must cut his ten con.