The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1891-11-19
Tie Southern Harvester Cotton Picker.
atlanta Constitution, Mov. &.

Tie Southern Harvester Cotton Picker.
atlanta Constitution, Nou. {.
Yesterday wa.an unusually interesting
day at the exposition. There were many
things to attract the people and interest
them. Probably that which drew the lar
gest crowd during the whole day was the
exhibition given by the Southern Har-
vester Company of their cotton picker in
field in the northern part of the exposi-
ton grounds. The crowd that gathered
about the machine just prior to the time
when the exhibition was to be given was
large, and in it there were many mechan-
ical experts and cotton growers from diff
ferent parts of the South.
The exhibition was given on rough
piece of ground, very unfavorable for
successful test. However, the cotton
picking was done so perfectly that every
body was surprised and were loud in
their praise of what promises to bring
about revolution in the cotton industry,
not only in the Southern States of Ameri-
ca, but throughout the civilized world.
The best eYideuce that the picker is asuc-
cess is the practical demonstration before
your eyes Of picking the cotton and depos-
itlng it in bags. When you see it with
your eyes, as was done yesterday, you
must believe it whether you want to or
not.
The best way to explain what the pick
er can do is to let experts tell it. Mr..
Diamond, one of the most competent
mechanical experts in New England, af-
ter seeing the exhibition yesterday,
said:
"I am satisfied that the picker is sue
cess. 7 know it will pick the cotton, be-
cause I have seen it do so more than half
a dozen times. Improvements have been
made in it, and each change has rendered
the machine nearer perfect. There are
only two or three defects of minor char
acter and they can be easily remedied. 1t
is granted by all, believe, that the ma
chine picks the cotton, and that is the
problem to be solved-the saving of it is
very easy thing. Yes it is a success and
great big success at thai"
The testimony Of Mr.. Diamond de-
serves careful consideration for the reason
that he has studied cotton picking for
several months and is familiar with the
plan of many of the machines coming
before the public, prior to this one.
Mr.. w. 8. Van Winkle, whom the
Constitution interviewed some weeks ago
relative to the success of the Southern
Harvester cotton picker, witnessed the
exhibition yesterday. He endorsed the
plan and says:
"From the first time saw the Southern
Harvester cotton picker, I was convinced
that it was success. do not mean to
say that the machine did its work per-
fectly the first time saw it, but that the
plan and design was one which when
perfected would do the work for which it
was intended. Several improvements
have been made in it the past month, and
the exhibition given to-day at the exposi-
ton, shows that the picker is practically
success, and will pick the cotton. It is
true, as explained by President Blum,
that not more than cne-fourth of the wire
brushes were suitable for action in to-
days exhibition. This trouble can easily
be overcome. Tn fact, as many brushes
as may be ne. Led can be conveniently
placed On the machine, thus enabling 1t
ease. The brushes as now placed have
but one motion, but if given four differ
ent motions, which can be easily done,.
every boil CEN be taken from the stalk.
Some of the cotton saw after being pick
ed fell on the ground, but if the underly-
ing platform Is extended about two feet
and meshed wire screen is put in the
rear, all the cotton can be saved. / have
great hopes of the future Of the picker,
and by another season it will be 80 per-
fected as to be ready for the market. At
least that is our intention"
| Mr.. Van Winkle, as every body knows,
is amechanioal expert, and his Judgment
inthe matter is worth probably as much
as that OF. any other mans in the United
States.
Mr.. L. R. Turner, of Sing Sing, N. Y,
who is also familiar with every part of
mechanics, is stopping with Mr.. Van
Winkle, experimenting the construction
Of some cotton machinery for few New
England mills. He also saw the exh1bi-
ton at the exposition grounds, and
said:
"The principle upon which the South
erp Harvester cotton picker is built is a.
perfect one, and rejoiced to find that one
had at last come to the front promising
rich results. The test to-day shows not
perfect machine, but one, with few
slight improvements, that will do the
work required. The great difficulty
heretofore has been to devise a plan that
will successfully take the cotton from the
boil. That has been accomplished in this
machine, as proven by to-day's exhibit
ton, and the picker, as understand 1t,
has great future. Next year, when all
of its defects will have been remedied,
doubtless thousands of the machines will
be sold, and large per cent. of the cotton
will be. picked by them.
The opinions Of these gentlemen speak
for themselves, and, as the parties are
acknowledged experts in the mechanical
line, it is presumed they know what
they are saying. The farmers and
cotton growers all over the South are
anxiously waiting for these machines,
and it is thought that next year their
hopes and dreams may be realized, and
where only 100 pounds of cotton is pick
ed to-day by one man, 5000 can be gath
cred with the use of the picker. It is to
be regretted that President Blum did not
compete for the gold medal at the e1posi-
ton. He says, however, that he was not
here for the purpose of showing of his
machine, but Of testing it and letting the
people see just what he had and what he
Wilt be able to furnish them next year.
Mr.. D. M. Bell, merchant and large
cotton grower of Patillo, Ga, saw the
machine work and thinks 1t will
eventually solve the labor problem in the
South.
"It is success" said he, sand I rejoice
to carry the news to my brother farm ers.
Why, it picks the cotton so nicely, and
there is 30 little trash in j"