262 implement department of the society. 



Extract from Mr. Joseph Parsloe's Eeport. 



In order to test and demonstrate the value of new implements 

 and machines, the Highland Society might, as circumstances 

 would permit, invite manufacturers to submit their productions 

 for trial. The machines entered could be first exhibited in 

 operation at the annual show, and then be placed in the hands 

 of well-known farmers and worked during a period sufficiently 

 long to test their capabilities both as to performance and dura- 

 bility. Still better would it be were the Highland Society to 

 establish in some central position a model farm, at which trials 

 could be conducted, and where could be demonstrated the science 

 and practice of agriculture in all its branches. Such an estab- 

 lishment might be developed into a Xational College of Agri- 

 culture. After the expiration of a given time, the machines 

 might be placed in the hands of the judges of the Society for 

 final trial and dynamometrical test. Then, instead of awarding 

 prizes first, second, third, I would suggest that a number of the 

 best machines — say three — be selected for specially detailed 

 reports (the remainder might be briefly noticed), pointing out 

 the results of the trials. It would be of advantage for the 

 special reports to be accompanied by illustrations of the 

 machines, which the manufacturers would doubtless be glad tO' 

 supply. The reports might then be published as the awards of 

 the judges, for the use of the makers as well as agriculturists 

 generally. 



I have thus tried to indicate how by a system of reports, in 

 preference to the award of prizes, the enterprise of the manufac- 

 turers may be supplemented by the action of the Society. Such 

 reports would prove a valuable guide to purchasers, and would 

 be of much general interest as permanent and continuous records 

 of the progress of improvement. 



The requirements of the times in which we live call for the 

 adoption of every appliance for farm purposes which shall 

 economise time and money. The progress made hitherto has 

 been great indeed, but we have not reached the final stage of 

 perfection; and whilst there is the native disposition of the 

 manufacturers to progression, their exertions may in the future 

 be greatly aided, as they have been in the past, by the co-opera- 

 tion of our great agricultural societies. 



Extract from Mr. Alexander Leslie's Eeport. 



If we inquire what position the National Society should take 

 towards the implement trade in the encouragement and develop- 

 ment of new inventions, we arrive at the conclusion that the 

 trade should be granted every facility for exhibiting their wares. 



