New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-26
AMERICA AT PARIS.
AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY.


IFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRmUNE
PARIS July 1.-The United States having made a
very inadequate appropriation, has obtained an in
sufficient space, and with extremely limited time
for preparation has set about advertising her
at Paris Theexhbts do credit to the country, but
the collection is far from complete. If we had q
horizontal Corlss engine, steam fre-engine, first
class passenger locomotive, Hoe and Bullock
printing machine, Pullman car, set Of
barrel-making machinery, a CrOnpton shawl
and satinet loom, Steinway piano, Chambers's
newspaper and boOk-folder Lockwood envelOp
machine and paper-collar machine a Bigeow car
pet-lOOm, Branch diamond stone-saw, and dozen
or two of specialtes, we should feel pretty
well.
/ could mention some other things that are
promised, and may come yet So / will not speak of
them as absent.
AS the great object of the Exposition is to make
people acquainted with each others productions
and to increase intercourse and trade, 1t seems
appropriate TO consider any special circumstances
which favor impede the circulation of products.
The manufacturers of and dealers in agricultural
implements claim that their line of goods is among
the heaviest in amount exported from the United
States. Like Oliver, who wanted more, they are
yet holding out their bowl to the beadle, but COM
plain that they are less favored than other boys on
the same bench.
If the estimates for prospects Of increase of trade
were based solely npon the questions of efficiency,
durability, price, adapedneSs to the special needs,
or even the prejudices of the market American man
ufacturers would be like "the bridegroom coming
out of his chamber and rejoicing like strong man
to run race" The matters however, complicated
by differences la the French duty on American and
English manufactured machines. Take an example,
and state it to make the exact state of the ease
plain An Adriance, Plat & Co. new model Buck
eye" Mower weighs lease included say $50 kIos,
on which the rate is IS francs per 100 kilos or G3
francs per machine. English machines never
boxed for the French market, as the voyage is but
few hours, and an ordinary English mower weighs,
unlocked 400 lulos, on winch duty is paid at the
rate of 6 francs per 100 kilos, or 81 francs
per machine. The American manufacturer
is thus handicapped to the extent of 80 francs per
machine. which is u fair profit TO agents; besides
which the American has to bear the greater ex-
pense Of transatlantic voyage, boxing, insurance
and so ON. The reciprocity treaty between England
and France was a concession on the part OF each,
and some very important interests in the United
States would be much the better for a similar ar
rangement and very few any the worse.
EUROPE AND AMERICA COMPARED.
II Is quite evident that the Americans have the
inside track so far reapers and mowers are con-
cerned aud they have the only successful binders
in this country any other. They are also perhaps
even with the English in the matter of horse-rakes,
the American implement being effective an inn
plenent with only half the weight. and at a much
lower price. Nye's self-dscharging Bay State
rake weighs 2!5 pounds, and the Ransome,
thoroughly good English one. weighs about double
This American rake shows the value of exhibitions;
a European merchant saw it at The Centennial, en-
tered into a contract, and has since sold 1000 of
the invention in France.
Another fact is proved. In implements for
tillng the ground and the preparation Of food
for animals, the United States has had little
success here comparatively. There are several
reasons for this, but the same observations
will not apply in the cases of the imple-
meDts unfortunately. In regard TO plOughs,
the American has struck out new path for himself,
and has succeeded in making tool which suits his
purpose exactly. The plough of the United States
was invented by and for people who worked IN new
ground cleared from tae woods The wheel-plough
common all Through Europe, and yet used IN Lower
Cauada. was unsuted to the short turns, and the
frequent throwing out of the ground incident to
plougling among stumps and roots aud the versatile
American soon contrived tool which fulfilled his
re0nirement. SO used did he become 10 it that
when his fields were cleared Of stumps, and cultiva-
ton was unimpedcd, he retained the plough in its
wheeless condition, and, instead of re-
adopting the wheel to keep the share from
penctratng too far into the ground, he gave ms
mind TO the problem following: So to proportion
the parts and determine the lines that when the
team is properly hitched TO the tool the sole shall
ride squarey upon the bottom of the furrow; the
coulter RETAINED for sod) shall cut much land and
keep il the share shall preserve its depth of pene
traton. II plough will do al these without a wheel
it is perfect plough and if it needs wheel in fair
living land it is because there is fault In adjust
ment or proportion.
In harrows and rollers the differences between the
two sides of the Atlantic offer nothing particular to
dwell upon The tendency is to make them all of
iron except the shafts, and being bulky and rea-
lively cheap, the proximity of England. and her
abundance OF irOn coal and labor ad dcd to the dis
eliminating duty in her favor, secure her the
market easily. Neither barOws nor rollers are
shown in the American section and few rollers from
any country. Harrows are common enough even
Sweden and Italy sending though they offer none
of these worth notice. The sectional and jointed
harrow is familiar here as with us, and IN fact 1t
originated in England The most flexible jonted
harrow is rigid compared with the chain haHows
of Howard shown in tho English department.
Wherever the sectional roller is introduced 1t super
sedes the one made of single cylinder ana tlo lui-
plement known as clod-crusher, having indepen-
dent disks on comslon axle and with knobbed per-
pheries H. perhaps, equally well made by Crosskill,
of England. and Gill, Of Columbus, Ohio. There is
one important fact, however, not unworthy OF no
tice. that tho English and French use the roller in
cultivation much more than we do. and are wise
therein. The use IS growing with us, and should be
encouraged by precept and example.
In grain drills there is decided difference be-
tween the two countries. My preference is toward
our light and simple machines, having used several
of them Finding nothing remaining to be desired
/ marvel at the weight and complication OF some
r ar En,I,sb machines which obtain in France