Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1859-07-16
n.rov, an Moving Machines.

duty Of examining and testing the machines en-
tered for trial at Ashtsbula and Cherry Valley,
report
That there were presented at the two trials
thirteen different machines Of ten different pa.
tents, via; Buckeye, ParkhurstS, Fishers,
Heaths, Tinkers, Aliens, Ketchum's improved,
do. One-hOrse, Kinleys, Balls and Hubbard's
In the examination the following points we're
considered
lst quality end style Of work. This was re-
garded as equal in Importance TO all the others
noticed I'd, ease Of draft. Sd, ease Of man.
sgement while working. 4th, adjustability Of
movable parts. 5th, portability. 9th, facility
Of repairing and Oiling. 7th, durability. 9Th,
weight 9th, cast.
The first point the Hubbard was credited 81.
Several others we're so nearly equal as to indi-
cate scarcely any difference Of value, viz: Kstch-
um's 27A; Aliens 27; Balls, 26Ai Fishers, do
improved, each "a; Tinker's 29R; Buckeye, %.
All these performed 10 a manner that should
satisfy any judicious farmer; while most of the
difference may have been made by temporary
or local causes.
The marking on all the other points was done
in the aggregate and not separately, for want Of
time and resulted as follows
Hubbards "a; Balls %; Aliens 26 Sc; Fish
er's improved, 26 Sc; Ketchums 26a; Buck
eye 26.
By the force of these figures, and by the as
sent Of majority of the Committee, we award
the first premium to VIM. De Witt, for Hub
bard's Wrought Iron Mower; and second prem.
ium to ]. L. Fillmore, for Balls Ohio Mower.
OF the other machines at the trial we would
say that we believe almost any of them would
justify the claims made for them, and would be
q satisfactory investment for the farmer who
has any considerable amount of moving to do.
One, Parkhurst's, was present at only the first
trial, which we regret, as the general style of
its work was Of high order, and a fuller ex.
hibition might have placed it among the most
desirable machines. Ketchum's improved is a
long advance from the veteran Ketchum of the
earlier years of machine moving.
Aliens fully maintains its reputation for uni
AOtm shOICoct huu III tuO btldtS Juob WlIuOSoCu
finished Its allotment in the shortest time and
10 excellent style.
Fishers is remarkable for simplicity and airi-
ness of coustruction,-is light, but should be
made lighter by the substitution of some better
contrivance for that ponderous iron ball ,--and
is positively good mower.
TinkeT's is simple, strong and durable; is made
at home and is cheap, and performs in a manner
TO challenge the best
The Buckeye is sufficiently like its twin, the
Ohio Mower, to be popular machine, aud has
some admirable points peculiar to ITSELF
Ketchum's one-horse mower is an uuquestiou.
ed success and will no doubt receive the atten
tion it merits from medium and small farmers
Its width Of cut is fully two.thirds that of th
| two-horse machines, and in all other respects i
performs equally we'll - aud on very rougl
ground probably better-and is quite readily
managed by one horse.
All the machines we're thoroughly tested un
der slow movement, and proved that thu
slowest oxen could be used in operating then
successfully Several were at times driven al
full trot, with no apparent inconvenience,
On many points we could not decide properly
without more time and other means and oppor
tunities not at our command, such as an instru
meut for determining draft, ETC.
Our undertaking has been sufficiently arduoul
and sefdeDying, and the fact, if not the man
ner, of its discharge, should be to us q certifi
cate Of release from further responsibility in re
lation to it.
SHELBY SMITH, ABEL KRUM,
j. FoBEs, Jr, j. r. SrANHoHE,
ELIAS WOODRUFF, JAS. STONE,
G. G. CALKIEs, Committee
July 7, 1859.
NoTE.--A minute error in the figures led t.
a declaration, after the trial closed, giving tn,
second place to another machine; but careful
revision gives the results above stated.