Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-06-14
Trial Of Reaping and Moving
Machines.

ON Saturday last trlal OF heaperS anu
Mowers took place or the farm of Maj
VIM B. LEWIS near this city, urder the
supervision of the Davidson County Agri-
cultural Society. Five machines were en-
tered for competition, viz: Kentucky Har-
vester Macy & Hamilton, Agents Man
ny's Combined Machine, Gen. B. f. Cheat
ham, Agent; Whitely's Self Raking Reaper
and Mower, B. S. Weller, Agent; Riggs
Centre Draft Reaper and Mower, Arm
strong Il Co, Agents Pells' Manny's
Self Raking Reaper and Mower, Armstrong
& Co, Agents.
The weather threatened rain, but the
machines were promptly on the ground,
and commenced operations about twelve
O'Clock, in slightly lodged and rather heavy
clover. The field had been laid off into
five equal sections, by the committee thus
giving each machine an equal chance for
testing their working qualities.
a more satisfactory trial of such ma
chimes, than this, has perhaps never been
held, as each machine had representative
from their manufacturing establishment;
and consequently, their good points were
shown to the best possible advantage.
The machines were then directed to
prepare for reaping, which took place in
field near by. At O'Clock, the machines
entered ready, for operation. The sections
for each machine, were laid off in handsome
style, by Riggs Centre Draft Machine,
which is admirably adapted for that pur-
pose. The only popularity about these
machines, except what we had previously
been acquainted with, was the ease with
which Manny's and Whitley's Self Raking
Machines could be changed from self
raker to hand raker, and vice versa, work
ing well in either capacity.
A rain had been threatening throughout
the day, which came on in heavy shower,
after the different machines had been in
operation about two hours thus prevent
ing the committee from concluding their
examination on that evening, and accord
ingly they adjourned to meet in Nashville,
on Tuesday, the 9Th inst.
We were certainly surprised to see so
few farmers of Davidson and adjoining
counties present at this exhibition, as they
could have learned more in a few hours,
III regard to the operation Of the different
machines sold in this city, than they or
dinarily would do in whole harvest. A
more general interest should be manifested
in regard to such exhibitions than now
exists in Middle Tennessee. The farmers
are the persons who purchase and use
such machinery, and they should take ad
vantage to see their works for themselves,
and not merely depend upon the decision
of a committee appointed to examine and
test them.
The following is the Report of the Com
mittee
WE, the Committee appointed by the
Davidson County Agricultural Society, to
examinine and test the several Rcaping
and Moving Machines entered for the
Premiums offered by said Society, make
the following report. The machines con-
testing were
l.. Manny's Combined Reaper and Now
err; Gen. b. f. Cheatham, Agent.
2. The Kentucky Harvester; Macy &
Hamilton, Agents.
8. Pells Manny's Machine; Armstrong
& Co., Agents.
f. Riggs Centre Draft; Armstrong &
Co, Agents.
5. Whitely's Young America b. S.
Weller, Agent.
The Committee having made the most |
careful test that could be, in the limited |
time for the trial, both as Mowers and |
Reapers, are of the opinion that Whitely's |
Young America is superior to all the others |
as Mower; that it is also, the best Com
bined Machine, and award the Premium
accordingly.
We also have awarded the Premium to |
Riggs Centre Draft, as the best Reaper.
At the same time, we would state that all |
the machines possess merit.
ID. III. McGAvocK,
r. G. ELLIS,
n. BAXTER, Committee. |
A. G.. PAYNE,
w. G.. HARDING,
Nashville, June 9Th, 1858.