The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-07-10
From the the Southern Planter and Farmer
The Reaper Trial of Farley Vale.

uNltnIlOutJsl
~ The Reaper Trinl of Farley Vale.
We had the pleasure of witnessing the
trial of wheat reapers at Farley Vale,"
in King George county, on the goth inst.
Having recently published a description of
this fine estate page 2O6l, it is unnecessary
to present any extended reference to the
evidence of thrift and enterprise which
came under our observation. The trial of
reapers brought a large concoursc of far
mers to Farley Valc,' including all the
representative men of that section. Five
reapers were entered for the contest, viz !:
Champion, Excelsior, Kirby, Valley Chief
and Buckeye. The trial was witnessed
with great interest by all present, and the
performances of the several machines
elected an animated discussion, not only in
the field, but at the refreshment tables, to
which the assemblage was invited by the
hospitable host, Major Rogers. Every
thing passed off pleasantly, and the desire
was general that such reunions, combining
pleasure with profit, should become more
frequent.
There were presented and entered for the
trial the following Reapers aad Mowers
LIST. The Excelsior" by Watt & Knight,
of Richmond, Va, Agents. This is a com
bined Reaper and Mower, with drop attach
ment and adjustable reel.
I'd. The aChampion," by L. ii. Lee &
Bro, of Baltimore, Md, Agents. Also a
combined machine. One with drop and one
with self-rake side delivery attachment.
Sd. The buckeye" j. Thomas, of Balti-
more, Nd, General Agents. A combined
mainline. One with revolving drop and one
with self-rake side attachment.
18th, The "Kirby," John @. Durborrow,
General Agent, Baltimore, Md. A COM
bined machine with self-rake side delivery
attachment.
9TH. The "valley Chief" by Palmer &
Co.. Richmond, Va, by whom it is com
str,,cted. A combined machine, with side
delivery and self-rake attachment.
In discharging the delicate duty assigned
It. YOUR committee were controlled, us far
as circumstances permitted, by the rules
usual in such trials, and came TO the de-
cision that the Excelsior" as a drop
reaper. combines all the requisites constitu-
ting it a complete harvester, the adlusta-
BILE reel adding greatly TO the value of this
machine.
To the Champion" we award the first
position as u ~self-rake, side delivery reaper;
and whilst we do not consider 1t on the
~whoIe-because Of less simplicity, and the
nearness to the ground of its gearlng-..so
desirable for general use as the EXcelsl-
or" we can not withhold the expression OF
our admiration at the beauty of its work
construction and material of all its parts.
The"Kirby" we consider an admirable
Reaper, as n self-rake d~elivery-but better
adapted from its strength, and with its SIM
Gle driving wheel, to the mountainous than
to the sandy low lands of this state.
The Buckeye and "Valley Chief"
machines of well established regulations,
with hosts of friends in the state, from some
cause, failed 10 give your committee the
satisfaction their reputation entitled them
to. -E1-s nF .l a...
Owing to the condition of the grass, con-
sesr1ent upon the drouth, a trial of the sew
eral machines as Mowers was deemed I'M
practicable !; this your committee regretted,
80 several of the machines present might
have stood higher in its opinion as Mowers,
than as re..-uers.
Your committee, before closing this re-
mort, which for cry proper reasons, has
been made as concise ~ Posslole' gnu hop-
ing that others who were LFesei.. a,a tao.o
competent, would give to the "nclo = IGo
full account of this very interes, d's auo ~
structive meeting of your Club-b,V ~ leass
to express its obligation, as your repl ,aseil-
t~ative, to the gentlemanly and courteous
agents of the several machines, for the eff
ficient and skillful manner in which they
discharged their duty. l....
All of which is respectfully submitted,
RICHARD IL. STUART,
E. L. TAYLOR,
. ua la JOHN DICKINSON,
W. ii. GAINES,
S. Il. STUART,
f gas .r BENJAMIN TOWERING,
ED MCCHANAHAN.