The situation frequently reached a point where there was only one way to settle rival claims and that was by a field contest.
At a stated time two or three or four rival harvesters would suddenly appear on the farmer's soil, each prepared to show, by actual test, its superiority over the enemy.

Farmers and idlers for miles around would gather to witness the Homeric struggle.

At a given signal the small army of machines would spring savagely at a field of wheat.

The one that could cut the allotted area in the shortest time was regarded as the winner.

The harvester would rush on all kinds of fields, flat and hilly, dry and wet, and would cut all kinds of crops, and even stubble.