The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-06-29
Trials of Mowers and Reapers.


In regard to the great trial of Reap
ers and Mowers, near Hagerstown,
Md, noticed in our issue of last week
the reporter for the New York Sun
says:
The most severe and exhaustive
trial of Reapers and Mowers that has
occurred In the State has just conclu-
ded here. 1t was held under the aus
pices of the Agricultural Society, and
occupied three days of actual WORK In
the field, on rough land and in heavy,
lodged grass and barley. The draft
of machines entered, (as ascertalned
by dynamometer, in cutting heavy
grass,) was as follows, to wit: "W ood"
225 lbs; " Williams Combined, 2IO !;
Williams" Small Mower, 1S5 lbs !;
No. 2 World" 245lbs; Hubbard
Combined" 200 lbs; No. 2, " Dodge"
$50 lbs; No. Champion 24O lbs;
~Acme" $50 lbs: Sprague" 70! lbs. !;
"Planet" 21O lbs.; two-wheel "klrby"
2I5 lbs. e" Buckeye" $40 lbs. 1t will
be seen by the above that the "Acme"
and the {. Hubbard Combined" are the
lightest in draft, comparatively, and
although the committee have not yet
expressed or rendered an opinion, the
evidence is conclusive, and the almost
universal manifestation of the farmers
on the ground warrants me in saying
that these two machines stand pre-
eminently ahead of all their worthy
competitors, not only in draft, but in
quality of work, facility of manage
ment and adaptation and they possess
the modern elements of enclosed gear
ing. changeable motion and such other
features as experience has shown to
be desirable to enhance the power OF
endurance of this class of machinery.
MANY other machines did excellent
work, and will probably receive due
notice in the committees report,
which will soon be out, and will be
forwarded to you. Until then, may.
the best machine win."
REPORTER.
We have received the report of the
Committee appointed to make the in
vestigation at the above trial, which
shows that the test was most thor
ough. They say: After a very
careful and patient examination of
every machine upon all material points
we have concluded to award the pre-
MUM for the best motoer to the
ACNE" machine.
The correspondent of the Pittsburgh
Ecening Chronicle, writes in reference
to the trial at Smithfeld, as follows:
My visit here was the occasion of a
field trial under the auspices of the
"Smithtteld AgricultuaTI Society,"" an
organization made lately for the en-
couragement and promotion of agri-
cultural and mechanical arts by the
award of premiums for improvements
in machinery and implements, farm
products. etc. The Society wisely
adopted the rule to make ",pract1cal
tests" of all machinery for farm pur-
poses, and the trial yesterday was for
field machines. AS the awards were
liberal the competition was spirited
and closely contested. 1t brought to
trial twelve different patterns of ma
chimes, and the contest was witnessed
by at least a thousand farmers, who
closely scrutinized every machine and
watched the different movements with
the closest inspection. A committee
of five intelligent farmers, selected for
their honesty and sound judgment,
after carefully examining all the ma
chimes and giving each thorough
test, awarded the first premium to the
Acme, new machine built at oteu-
benville. This is regarded as great
native enterprise, and the farmers ex-
press desire TO encourage home man
ufactures.
The Acme, spoken of in the above,
is manufactured and sold by Messrs.
Parke YOst e. Co at their works in
this village.