40 ON IMPLEMENTS SELECTED FOR TKIAL. 



of tbis machine cannot be conducive to the preservation of 

 potatoes to be stored in pits. Seeing that the mechanical 

 arrangement is, in principle, the same as that ah-eady employed 

 in other machines, and tliat the improvement in detail still leaves 

 the machine open to the objection of injury to the tubers, to 

 which the Committee have alluded, they do not think it can 

 be reported to have earned a prize. 



2. Asjnyiurcirs Patent, exhibited hi/ Messrs J. TV. Robinsoyi <b 

 Co., Liverpool. — These exhibitors had two implements on the 

 ground. The first was the implement exhibited at Aberdeen, 

 which alone, of course, is entitled to be put in competition. 

 But, on being tried, this implement was withdrawn, as it was 

 stated by the exhibitors that it was not applicable to damp soil 

 and luxuriant shaws. The second implement had been made 

 with an arrangement for a freer separation of the potatoes from 

 the earth and shaws; but this implement, though exhibited, can- 

 not compete, and the Committee have to report that they do not 

 find Mr Aspinwall entitled to a premium. 



The Comraittee take this opportunity of reporting that the 

 raising of potatoes and separating them from the roots to which 

 they are attached, and from the earth in which they are em- 

 bedded, without injuring their skin, is an operation not without 

 great difficulty, and it seems to them that in the implements 

 exhibited to-day, and in all others they have seen which profess 

 to do the w^ork required, the speed of the revolving machinery 

 employed in separating the potatoes from the soil is far too rapid 

 and violent to be consistent with raising the potatoes in a state 

 to be advantageously stored in pits. 



The report w^as adopted. 



VII. — Water-Testing Apparatus. 



This apparatus w^as exhibited at the Aberdeen Show by 

 Messrs Joseph Davis & Co., London, and was tried by the 

 Committee on the 28th of November. Tlie Committee, after 

 experimenting with several of the tests, consider that they are 

 wall known, but that they would be of comparatively little use 

 in the hands of a person not educated in chemistry. They are 

 of opinion that no prize should be awarded. 



The Board approved of the report. 



YIII. — Murray's Thrashing Machine. 



This Machine w^as exhibited by Messrs George AV. Murray 

 & Co., Banff, and was tried in the show-vard on the 28th of 

 »July. It was seen at work with barley and oats, and did its 



