Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-06-21
9otal and gersonaI.

Worth VS.. WOrth-COnteSt Between
Self Binders.-On Wednesday last we Wis
tied the farm of Mr. Jas. Cashell, about i've
miles from this town, to witness the contest
for superiority between the Mccormick, Os-
borne and Buckeye self-binders. The trial was
made at this place for the purpose Of Mr..
Cashell making purchase of machine The
Buckeye did not go into the contest, but late
in the evening, in an incomplete condition,
made several rounds and did very good work.
The field of wheat that was to be harvested
contained thirty-two acres 1t was very heavy
wheat and it is supposed will yield thirty
bushels to the acre. The ground was soft on
account OF the rain, the straw wet and in some
places down fiat which put the machines to a
fair test to do proper work.
The machines are almost similar in con-
struction, though the Mccormick varies from
the other two some little. The Mccormick
like the others requires four horses to pull ii.
On a hard, level field it could be drawn by two
horses, though without these advantages not
much Roadway could be made. 1t requires
but Two men; one to drive from the saddle
horse and another to sit in the centre on
raised seat 10 regulate the machinery. This
machine cuts swath of six feet, the Osborne
FIVE and the Buckeye four and a-half. The can
vas platform moves backward and forward,
forcing the grain through a passage enclosed
by canvas attached to frame in the ceEtre-
This frame is of the shape of roof with
gradual inclination from the top to the plat
form the other side is like constructed. The
grain is run down the inclination to the bind
er. One spool of wire is fixed on the top of
the roof-shaped portion, and another spool at
the hindmost part of the machine both wires
ruRning to the binder, one down and the
other lengthwise of the machine The binder
is located on platform; one side is Of the
shape of goose neck which reaches above for
the grain as it comes up through the passage,
the other is an arm which goes under the grain
both clasping the grain tightly until it is
bound. The binder moves back on the plat
form distance sufficient to place the sheave
on the edge to be pushed off by the next one
The wires are cut BY cog-wheel at its sixth
revolution. The binder is regulated by ma
chinery worked by pedal. Large or small
sheaves can be made. The binding can be
done. at any part of the sheave betweeu the
butt and head. Two ties are made on each
sheave. The Osborn and Buckeye bind with
enc wire.
A crowd Of fifty or more farmers gathered
to witness the contest. From canvass
amongst the crowd that had carefully watched
the trial it was ascer.ained large majority
favored the Mccormick, by reason that it
made wider swath, was freer from choking up
and had less strain on its wires by using two
making them less liable to break and cause
delay. No judges were appointed TO decided
upon the merits of the machines but Mr. Cash
ell, who was to make selection for his use.
At the conclusion of the trial he was best
pleased with the Mccormick
The trial began before dinner, making only
two rounds. During this commencement con-
siderable trouble was experienced in unchok-
ing the machines SO clogged by the newness
OF the machinery. AT the second beginning
the machines we're put in thorough order and
worked well, cutting so clean that raking was
unnecessary. They run almost noselessly
and washes in field no obstruction at all,
but the contrary was expected.
The assembly was refreshed By splendid
dinner provided by Mr.. Cashe. The farmers
of the county should be grateful TO this gentle
man for arranging this contest.