Montgomery County sentinel., 1880-06-18

| s& AAc COutCst Vi ScM. M.nkHucF6.-I0e -
number of prominent farmers from al. parts
OF the county in the very height of harvest,
together with large appearance OF deeply
interested visitors, is one of the bestevidences
of the conspicuous and substantial develop-
ment of the progress of agriculture in Mont
gomery. These awards for the best and most
effective machinery in the line of agricul-
ture must and will introduce among our
people the cheapest, most durable and speedy
mode of securing their crops. The contest
and award under the auspices of our Ag-
ricultural Society, were advertised to take
place on Tuesday, but on account Of the
rain was postponed until Thursday
The committee consists of Messrs. Josiah
W. Jones, John Brady, George Hilton, N.
D. Offutt and George Brooke, all of them
practical farmers of sound judgment and
discrimination, and their decision, unbiased
by partiality or prejudice, must and will
have great weight in determining and estab-
fishing the claims of the respective machines
in the confidence and wants of our farmers
The place selected for the trial was upon
the farm of Mr.. Stephen M. Lyddane, one
of our most enterprising and successful
farmers The field was admirably adapted to
the contest-the land being irregular, por-
of it being rathef rolling or billy. The
wheat was very generally heavy, and much
of it was down and exceedingly tangled.
The friends of the respective claimants or
rival machines were deeply interested and
enthusiastic in their choice Each machine
was under the management either of its in
ventor or parties thoroughly able to manip-
ulate the same.
|. The following machines were entered by
the gentlemen named: mccormick" by
John H. Gassaway; Buckeye" by John A.
Baker; osborne" by G. Il. Dunlop; the
champion Cleaner and Binder" by Fred
l.. Moore.
The amount of the premium as offered by
the Agricultural Society is $25, to be paid
for the best reaper and binder. In coming
to conclusion it is>supposed that the COM
mittee will take into consideration the cost,
durability and simplicity of the machinery,
the amount of work accomplished, together
with the labor involved In other words,
the best work, the most of it and at the
smallest cost Economy in time and labor,
as also simplicity IN machinery, are the es-
sentials required by our farmers in the sue
cessful operation of their industrial pursuits
The Mccormick reaper and self-binder,
under the management of its indefatigabe
agent, John H. Gassaway, was promptly on
time and done some fine work before din
ner This machine had four strong, active
horses attached, driven by a cautious and ex-
perienced driver.
1t was not until after dinner that the Os-
borne and Buckeye made their appearance,
the former delayed by reason of the break
age of some parts of its machinery, and the
latter for the want of team, which was
supplied and driven by Mr.. John E. Wilson
The Osborne made handsome appear
ance upon its entree, the driver handling the
ribbons with remarkable grace, dexterity and
ease. 1t was drawn by four fine, handsome
horses, handsomely caparisoned, belonging
to Col Boyd, of Boyds Station. Mr.. ID. NJ.
Osborne, the inventor, was present and gave
this machine his personal supervision.
The Buckeye, though slow in coming to
time, appeared in the arena as though fully
conscious of its superiority and the consid-
Grafton its merits would attract. Under the
management of Mr. Wilson, and drawn by
three horses, it proceeded about its work,
receiving and holding favorable endorse
ment from the moment of its start up to the
close of the contest
The eleanor and Binder entered by Mr..
Moore did not take very active part in the
contest, in consequence of misarrangement
of the machinery and the bad working of
young and fractions horse. It is but proper
to state, however,that this machine has given
the most ample satisfaction to those parties
who have purchased the same, and bids fair
to take a prominent position in the rank Of
agricultural implements.
The exhibition was decidedly interesting,
and to many of those present, novel. Ali
seemed To enjoy the scene, and midst the
enthusiasm and interest manifested by the
friends OF the several contestants the most
perfect good feeling existed. II is the open
ing of new era in our agricultural pro-
gress by stimulating and rewarding that
species of inventive genius which adds to
the wealth, ease and dignity Of that branch
of industry upon which all classes Of society
depend.
The following is the report of the conf
mittee
To THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
We, the undersigned, a majority OF the
committee appointed by your Society to act
as Judges in the trial Of self binders, make
the following report:
The contest between the several self-bind-
ing harvesters came off on the farm OF >.
M, Lyddane, ESQ.,, on Thursday, june 18th,
1880. The machines present and participa-
ting in the contest were the Mccormick,
the Buckeye and the Osborne.
The wheat was very heavy and was very
much tangled and blown down, and was
sufficient TO test the utmost capacity OF any
machine.
All the machines did their work well but
majority of the committee think the Nc
Cormick machine the simplest, and conse-
quently the most durable, and on that ac-
count the most desirable for our farmers.
The committee consider that the Buckeye
did equally as good as the Mccormick, but
on account of the simplicity and durability
Of the Mccormick machine, the committee
must award the premium TO the McCor-
GEO. w. HILTON, Chm,
N. ID. OFFUTT,
JOHN BRADY,
JOSIAH w. JONES,
The undersigned, one Of the committee,
not heinR sufficiently acquainted with ma