"The Rev. Mr. Wharton (the jury, competitors, etc., having gathered round him on the field, on Saturday morning) announced that after the lapse of an hour, when the corn would be in such a condition that Mr. Fawcitt, as he had just said, would, under ordinary circumstances, reap it himself, the trial would commence.
"The question was, now, which of the two machines should begin. A 'toss' gave the chance to Mr. Pierce, and he requested Mr. Burgess to lead off.
"McCormick's machine then got into action, taking the crop in the most favorable manner—that is, leaning toward the knife. Passing along the field (which was from two to three hundred yards in length) it cut down a breadth of little more than four feet. The corn being laid, the flier, of course did not come into practical operation; nor was it necessary that it should do so—the elements having already done its work. The corn was well cut—the stubble a little too high.
"Another breadth or two having been cut, Hussey's machine followed, and cut some breadths—somewhat wider than McCormick's, and closer to the ground.
"Mackenzie, when we pointed out the shorter stubble of his rival, admitted the fact, but said there would be no difficulty—not the slightest—in bringing Mr. McCormick's knife nearer to the ground. In America, however, where the straw is comparatively of little or no value, the stubble is no object, and there are some advantages in cutting high.
"A backer of McCormick's machine (and many bets have been laid on the two machines) urged that Hussey's would spoil clover when going among wheat. The reply was, that Hussey's knife could be raised or depressed at pleasure.
"The next test was cutting the crop across ridge and furrow, so that the corn was lying neither to nor from the knife, but sidewise. Both the machines cut the corn under these circumstances—Hussey's the cleaner of the two.
"The jury then required the experiment to be made along the field, with the corn lying from the knife.
"Mr. Hussey consented, and the machine succeeded in cutting the corn—leaving a tolerable stubble, but not so short and regular as before.
"McCormick's machine was then tried, and failed. As it scoured over the corn, making sad havoc, there were loud cries of 'Stop! stop! you're wasting it!'