Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-06-29
FARM AND HOME.
The Trial of Rcapers. Yesterday.
THE CONTEST.

between the machines entered yesterday, before
TIL committee make their report. we will no
give our opinion as to their merits or dement's
but will state here, in justice to our opinion thai
all did excelently, and all deserve a fair share
ofpublic favor:
RULES ANNOUNCED
The rules governing the contest were an
nounced by Col. j. NJ Davis, which were rs
follows: Each machine was to reap one acre Of
wheat the Representatives Of the different ma
chimes were allowed to cut one. half Of this, and
the committee designated the party to cut the
other half, reserving the privilege Of submitting
the machines to additional tests
The ground was laid off in lots Of one acre,
and the position assigned each of the contestants
by lot
POINTS OF CONSTRUCTION.
The mechanical construction, draft and dura-
bility of the machines are to be determined by
the committee of mechanics, and their working
merits by the committee of farmers. Both COM
mittees are composed of competent, honest men,
and their action WILL we are satisfied, give salts
faction-to the public, at least The two com
mittees, Jointly, will make the award, which
not be made public until Thursday. The de-
cision must be made with reference to price.
draft, durability and simplicity of the contesting
machines; all of which do good work when
properly handled.
THE WORLD MACHINE.
In assigning them to their positions, the
World " machine came first was entered by
Mabry, Turner Il Co, and was in charge of Mr.
Eli Miller, of Canton, Ohio, who did excellent
work, cutting clean and punching the grain
nicely. One advantage claimed for this ma
chine is on account of cat gearing which it is
claimed is more reliable than the ordinary cast
iron gearing The first cut gear machine ever
offered to the American public was built in
1866
The World Reaper and Mower is. we
think in its mechanical construction, faultless
The frame is a solid iron shell, into which every
separate part is fixed with unerring accuracy
ana every portion Is protected from external in
jury whether it be grass, grit or water.
THE EXCELSIOR REAPER AND MOWER
The Excelsior came next Was entered by
McCorkle IL Co. and Mr. Charles Miller. of
Akron, ONO. Some of the advantage, claimed
for this machine are first, in the J. F. Sober
ling dropper, which was patented in 1SGl since
which time there have been fifty different man
utacturers licensed to manufacture these drop
pers, and in 1863, there were about 5000 ma
chimes built with the Seiberlng drOpper 900
were attached to the Excelsior. and the rest to
machines of different kinds. Then they claim
some advantages for the Excelsior, which are
only used on this machine. The reel is tight
ened by means of an india rubber sDring
any sudden jar it may receive in uneven
ground. The automatic folding apparatus
which Is attached TO the Excelsior i, claimed
to be superior advantage over all other ma
chimes, enabling the driver TO pass through
narrow gates with facility, by adjusting the
cutter bar along side the machine
THE ETNA.
The -ttna came next, which was entered by
driven by Mr. John NJ Brooks, of this city.
One advantage claimed for this machine i. the
double motion or ditferential gear. which in
very simple manner, secures change of speed
at VIII, which it Is claimed places the .Etna
ahead OF all competitors rs a mower, as q reap
er and as a combined machine. BY the move
ment OF a lever, without stopping the team or
IN any way complicating the machine. the
speed can be instantly changed from fast to
slow, andifrom slow to fast or by the same lever
thrown entirely out of gear. 1t is also claimed
that as dropper, this is a superior machine it
having the general reel, which does away with
the reel chain, pulleys, &c. The cutter bar can
be folded to the side of the machine, and when
thrown out of gear, can be driven along as a
cart.
THE RUSSELL REAPER AND MOWER
The Russell machine was entered by Church
" Hough, Capt Geo. ;. Ruble. of Chattanooga
General Southern Agents for the Russell ma
chimes, was present and drove this machine
There are several advantages claimed for this
machine, some of which are first, the adiu-ta-
BILE castor wheel at the outer end of the reaper
more easily at the corners, and allows it to cut
while turning, gaining the length of the reaper
bar, at each corner, and also in the ptman
which allows all lost motion TO be taken up thus
avoiding the knocking sound heard In some
other machines. They also claim superiority of
the gearing of the Russell which i enclosed
under the machine, and thereby free from dirt
They aiSo claim durability and simplicity of
construction. This is a well-balanced machine
and the workmanship is faultless and sub
stantial
THE CLIPPER
Was entered by McCorkle X Co. Thi. machine
was handled by Mr.. Williams. of Nashville
This was the last of the contestants and l., like
the others, an excellent machine This too
claims advantages over other machines one OF
which is the fact that most of the iron used in
their construction is wrought or naleable, and
less likely to break than the same parts of other
machines. They claim that this machine is of
the lightest draft of any other machine, and
most simple in its construction. The Clipper
cuts wider than either of the machines entered,
and punches the grain nicely
THE BUCKEYE REAPER
Was on the ground, but, there was no other
no part in the contest This is said to be an ex-
cellent machine.
LARGE ATTENDANCE.
There was a large crowd present and all
seemed TO take a lively interest in the contest
The farminglcommunity were well represented
and, although they may have had some Difficult
ty in deciding as 10 thenrelatiVe merits Of the
different machines, they could easily decide as
between any of the machines and the old way of
harvesting.
THK MOVING TRIAL.