10 PROCEEDINGS AT BOARD MEETINGS. 



has teen that the manure gets clogged at the outlets, l)ut that has been obviated to 

 some extent by this machine. On the top of the hopper box containing the soot or 

 manure there is a shaker or riddle, which is kept in motion along with three revolving 

 spindles and brushes for distributing the manure, the continual working of which is 

 intended to prevent choking in the hopper. The whole is connected by gearing to the 

 driving wheels of the machine. The quantity of ground intended to be coveri-d at a 

 time is about live feet wide. After several turns on a stulible field with avtilicial 

 manures and soot the machine did not work so satisfactorily as could be wished— the 

 distribution being imequal, especially at the ends, the ground covered by the soot or 

 manure being only about three feet wide. The Committee tliiidc that, with some 

 alterations and improvements, it could be made a useful machine, and recommend the 

 inventors to persevere in their endeavours to do so, but in its present state they cannot 

 recommend the Directors to make any award. 



The trial of turnip raisers followed, and the single and double drill machines invented 

 and exhibited by Mr Thomas Hunter, Maybole, were set to work on Swedish and 

 yellow turnips, a fair average crop, well set up. Both machines are constructed on 

 the same principle so far as the cutting off the tops and the raising of the turnips are 

 concerned. The framework of the machine is made of wrouglit iron, and they are 

 guided with two handles like a plough. Tlie single drill machine is drawn like a 

 sleigh, while the double one works on three wheels. The cutter on both machines is 

 double, projecting in front, and catching the neck of the turnip as it moves along the 

 drill, cutting the shaw oiT. This cutter is fixed in a spring frame, wliich is balanced 

 or hung so as to rise and fall according to the height of the turnip. The root- cutting is 

 done by a circled steel scooji or knife firmly fixed in the frame passing under the 

 turnip so as to cut the roots. After a lengthened trial on both kinds of turnips, the 

 Committee were satisfied that the single drill machine is simple and cheap, the price 

 being £4, 5s., and the work well done, almost every turnip being cut ofi' at the proper 

 place. The double drill machine did also very fair work, but got more easily clogged 

 with the refuse, and missed cutting a number of turniiis in both drills. This may be 

 accounted for to some extent by its working on wlieels instead of the sleigh principle. 

 The Committee recommend the Directors to award Mr Hunter the minor gold medal 

 of the Society for the single drill machine on account of his invention of its woiking on 

 the sleigh principle, which they think is a decided improvement. 



The turniji raiser invented by Mr Robert Robertson, Niddrie Mains, was also tried 

 at the same time, but after several turns on the field it was found that some further 

 improvement would be required in the shaw-cutters to make it work satisfactorily. 



The Board approved of the report, and confirmed the awards recommended in favour 

 of Messrs John G. Rollins k Co., London ; and Mr Thomas Hunter, Maybole. 



MEETING OF DIRECTORS, Sth JANUARY 1879. 



Present — Mr Graham Binny, W.S. ; Mr Ferguson, Kinuochtry ; Mr Gillon of Wall- 

 hou.se ; Mr Hog of Newliston ; Mr Hope, Duddingston ; Mr Howatson of Dornel ; Mr 

 Johnstone, Dinwoodie Lodge ; Mr Mylne, Niddrie Mains ; Mr Oswald of Dunnikier ; 

 Mr Ritchie of Middleton ; Mr Smith, Stevenson Mains ; Mr David Stevenson, C.E. ; 

 Captain Tod of Howden ; Lieutenant-Colonel George G. Walker of Crawfoi-dton ; Mr 

 Walker of Bowland, C.B. ; Professor Wilson ; Dr. A. P. Aitken. Mr Ferguson, 

 Kinnochtry, in the chair. 



Mr F. N. Menzies reported apologies for the absence of Lord Polwarth, Sir Alexander 

 Jardine of Applegarth, Bart. ; Mr Dickson of Corstorphine ; Mr Irvine of Drum ; Mr 

 Kennedy (of Sundaywell), Brandleys; Mr Mackenzie of Portniore ; Mr Martin, yr. of 

 Auchendennan ; Mr Murray of Dollerie ; and Mr Smith, Whittinghame. 



Office-Beakers. — The Secretary reported that the names of the noblemen and gentle- 

 men to be proposed by the Directors at the General Meeting on 15th curt, to fill the 

 vacancies in the list for 1879, had been published in terms of the bye-laws. 



General Meeting. — The programme of business to be brought before the anniversary 

 General Meeting of the Society on the 15th curt, was arranged. 



New Members. — The list of candidates for admission as members was submitted, 

 and the Secretary stated that additional names could be received up till the morning 

 of the 15th. 



Finance. — A state of the funds of the Society at 30th November 1S78, and abstracts 

 of the accounts for 1877-78, signed by Mr Walker of Bowland, C.B., Treasurer, and 

 Mr Murray of Dollerie, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and by Messrs Mackenzie 

 and Smith, C.A. , the Society's Auditors, were submitted, in terms of the bye-laws. 



Perth Show 1879 and Farm Competition.— The report of the meeting of members 

 held at Perth on the 1.3th December was submitted, from which it appeared— 

 First, that a discussion arose in regard to the premium for the stallion for agricultural 



