, 1862-08-07
The Late Reaper Tr1al--Letter from
Wms $. Waite, Esq.
GRzENynIB, H., Aug. 4, 1882.

The Late Reaper Tr1al-Letter from |
Wms y. Wa1tes Esq
GAEENynIB, NJ, Aug. 4, 1852.
Editors Chicago Tribune:
1t their last biennial election I was placed,
without my OWE kno1Eeage or consent, upon
the executive committee Of the State Aggrisu1'
tural Society, aud WAS present at ..tts recent
trisl Of mowers and reapers at Dixon.
The exhibition Was q splendid one, COM
prlsing the largest, and most perfect display Of
mowers and reapen ever shown sud no pains
Was spared on the psrt Of the society in pro-
curing suitable grounds and so arranging the
trial as to accommodate the contestants aud
the public, so far SO compatible With the great
end In view, the promotion Of agricultural
PROGRESS
There were forty entries from Illinois and
the neighho1lng States, comprising altogether
most magnificent and imposing show, and
atIording our farmers an opportunity to judge
for themselves OF the comparative excellence
OF the machines. Bnt not the least benefit
arising from this trial waa the opportunity
afforded to the manufacturers themselves not
only Of ascertaining the comparative merit
and performance Of thelr respective machines,
but to ascertain w1ere improvements could
be made and deficiencies supplied without en-
croachments upon the rights Of others.
The committee were highly gratided with
the entire success OF the trial, and the con-
testants and the assembled thousands ex-
pressed their satisfaction with the exhibition.
All assented to the remark that it was better
calculated to improve and perfect these Valna-
bic agricultural implements than any other
scheme that could be devised.
Returning from the trial with these gratify-
Ing Impressions upon my mind, and feeling
that had given my best assistance in pro-
nctirg this good work for the benefit Of my
brother farmers, you may judge Of my feelings
upon taking up TIE TRIBUNE, and reading the
remarks Of Its correspondent-one stating
That the programme of the committee vas
| "rep1ete with Injustice" and another, that
"thus far the trial Is one Of the most transpa
| .ent humhugs that We have ever Witnessed" !"
| I confess this Was damper, although from
some remarks repeated to me before leaving
the ground, had reason to appreheud that!
the arrangements Of the committee were moi
universally approved.
The committee may have erred in thei
| Judgment, although upon careful revision
they thought otherwise. They are nearly al
OF them practical farmers, and took upo1
themselves the arduous and thankless duties
OF their position with the sole motive Of pro
noting agricultural Improvement. They re
ceiVe no peeuniary compensation whatever
ard at the busiest season OF the whole year
have attended this trial to the neglect and in
jury Of their own harveste.
But the committee have no faYors to ask
I1egret these attacks for lis discour1ging an
detrimental influence on the great cause q
agricultural improvement. If such exhibition
as these are denounced through The column
cf leading and extensively circulating joul
nal. as transparent humbugg,'' aud it
whole programme and management replet
with injustice" the effect upon the publ
mind cannot fail to be injurious to all exhib
ticns Of the kind, and 20 far as such statt
ments may be credited, detract from tn
Gslue and usefulness OF the State Institution
WILLIAM s. WAITE.