The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-09
MOVEMENTS OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY.
Visit Of the Embassy to an Exhibition of
Agricultural Implements at Auburn-Their
Interest in the Working Of the Machines.


Interest in the Working Of the Machines.
AUBURN, August 8, 1868.
This morning the Embassy, accompanied by Secre.
tary Seward and large number of ladies and gen.
tlemen visited the farm Of Mr. Dunning about one
mile west OF this city, on the Genesee turnpike, in
order to witness in operation several of the impor
tant agricultural machines now in common use in
the United States. The first exhibition was the
working of the Kirby harvester. The Ambassadors,
as we'll as students, were delighted at the accurate
execution Of the work designed to be performed by
this machine. Two fine gray horses were attached
to the machine, and as they started into q field
OF oats, cutting down swarth Of five or Six
feet the ambassadoral party marched AFTER the ener
getc Chh at the head, carefully investigating every
movement Of the harvester and watching the knives
as they severed the slender stalks. Sun displayed
more than ordinary interest on this occasion, and
was fully equal to Chin in the number and details OF
his interrOgatories. After the harvester had made
one round OF the field Chih mounted the drivers
seat and took the reins. The horses evidently not
accustomed to the MongOlian manner OF handling the
ribbons, grew uneasy and set or at trOt. Chih net
the least concerned, however, abandoned the use OF
the reins with one hand by means Of which he held
himself upon the seat. The machine ratified quite
vigorously under the effects OF this increased velocity
and only by the driver catching the horses the
bit, stopping them and then taking the rens himself,
walking by the side OF the machine that some regu-
larity of locOmotion attained. ChIh relieved
from this responsibility from his seat, now turned
his attention exclusively 10 the contemplation or the
machine. The sefraking attachment was a novelty
less interesting than the action OF the knives AS
the long arms moved around and dropped and by
new motion swept OF the amount desired for bind
ing In q single bundle Chih, from his seat and sun
walking behind followed the revolutions with their
fingers until perfectly understood.
While the philosophers were thus acquiring infor-
nation in the lie OF agriculture Mir. Fung
was also following in the procession busily
NEW YORK HERALD. This incident attracted
the attention OF Mr. Burlingame who exclaimed to
the party, snow there Is fine picture OF the Old
and the New World. An ambassador or ancient
China riding on an American harvester and stu
dent Of China following reading copy Of the new
quite an interesting minglng OF opposite associa-
tons, and the sentiment OF Mr. Burlingame was
well endorsed by the whole party.
The c0mpactness OF the harvester, in view Of the
large amount OF work executed, struck the Celestial
philosophers as its finest feature, and when shown
the lever by Of which the driver at all times
has complete control over the machine the peculiar
construction OF the rake acting as reel, and which
any time lower one or all OF the arms 10 the desired
height of the stalk, as TO take down all tangled
their warmest approval. The harvester attachment
was then taken OF and the machine turned into q
mower, which was also run In "a meadow. From the
field the party drove TO the barn and rst witnessed
a hay fork unloading hay Next threshng ma
chine was visited and examined In operation. Chih
got under the machine and on top OF 1t, examining
every feature In It's construction and In the accom-
pishment OF its work. In this investigation Chih
remarkable aptitude for mechanical study.
Having succeeded IN understanding the machine
Chh Tajen aud Teh took a position on the platform
and fed the machine with ~ much experiences as
old farm hand. This finished the mornings recrea-
ton.
This afternoon the Embassy visited the home OF
Ex-Governor Enos T. Throop, where they partook OF
lunch. and the different members then repaired to
Owasco Lake and enjoyed the pleasures OF q row
upon the tranquil bosom OF that beautiful expanse
OF water. After partaking or dinner at the resi-
dence OF Mr.. Martin, nephew OF Governor Throop.
the party returned 10 the city, enjoying the pleasures
OF moonlight drive along the placid waters OF the
0wasco.