28 



THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



room might be converted, at other times, into a 

 rea(linjj;-room, and at the trifling expense at which 

 books can now be procured of an auiusing and in- 

 structive character, the experiment is well worthy the 

 attention of tlie benevolent, and would probably, in 

 proportion to the outlay, be one of the cheapest modes 

 of supplying the wants of the labouring classes. 



The experience produced by our union schools is not 

 very satisfactory, the children are instructed in the 

 elements of learning but are perfectly helpless, as 

 Air. James expressed, of the best manner of using 

 their arras and legs. This arises in a great measure 



from most of our unions not having sufficient land upon 

 which to train them in such employment as they may be 

 called upon in after-life to perform. 



In conclusion, we can only state, that although in- 

 superable difficulties appear to invest the question, 

 we believe that they are more imaginary than realj and 

 if the task of laying down a system of national education 

 was only set about in earnest, and with a desire to pre- 

 vent our prejudices operating so as to overcome our 

 reason, we should very soon become convinced that it 

 was no very difficult task, and feel surprised indeed, 

 that it could have been so long delayed in execution. 



THE STEAM-ENGINE AND OTHER MACHINERY TRIALS FOR 

 THE CHESTER M E ETI NG— S UG GE STI O N S. 



I have been much interested, as also greatly amused, 

 by reading the various observations and suggestions 

 made by the respective manufacturers of steam-engines, 

 thrashing-machines, mills, chafiF-cutters, &c., &c., rela- 

 tive to the triennial trial of these classes of machines, as 

 already ai ranged to be tested at the ensuing meeting of 

 the Royal Agricultural Society, to be held at Chester. 

 How they are to be met I cannot conceive ; and yet very 

 many of them are truly valuable. I will try and combine 

 the sense of them, and perhaps indulge in a remark or 

 two upon them in passing. 



Triennial Trials. — The first observation I shall 

 notice is that of triennial tests of merit, by which a 

 larger number of implements and machines may have a 

 chance of a more extended and a more efficient trial. I 

 find this plan is generally apjiroved of in its essence, but 

 grave objections are made to its full efficiency. These 

 objections will certainly lie. It is not right that every 

 trial should invariably be made at the time of the meet- 

 ing, whether circumstances are favourable or not. 

 Ploughing, for instance, should only be done when the 

 soil and season are suitable. Reaping should only be 

 performed upon ripe crops. 



_ Medals or JDqjlomas —The next thing I shall no- 

 tice is the suggestion to set aside money-prizes as a 

 token of merit, and substitute medals or diplomas. I 

 don't like this. A money-prize is undoubtedly no great 

 object to a large and wealthy firm : a medal is always in 

 view; but how many poor, hard-working men have 

 come out as clever inventors and mechanists, to whom 

 the chance of a money-prize has been a great incentive, 

 and, when obtained, a great help ! Besides, Old John 

 Bull looks to the money : his pride does not consist in a 

 medal encased in morocco : he loves to hear the chink ; 

 on hearing which he will work. 



Trial of Steam Engines. — The trial of steam- 

 engines I will next notice. It is one of high importance' 

 and is the most valuable investigation to be made 

 at Chester. It deserves the utmost care in perfecting all 

 the arrangements for a satisfactory and conclusive trial. 

 For this purpose the society puts forth certain con- 

 ditions to be observed by competitors. This is right 

 enough, to a certain extent : it is quite right to cause 

 exhibitors to particularise and define the amount of 

 horse-power, the thickness and quality of the boiler- 

 plates, the diameter of the cylinder, the length of stroke 

 of the piston, the number of revolutions of the crank- 

 shaft, the diameter and weight of the fly-wheel, 

 and also of the driving-pulley and its width and speed, 

 together with a sectional plan of the boiler, showing the 

 action of the fire upon the flues, and stating the area of 

 fire-surface, and the clear water-space between the tubes ; 

 this is perfectly correct, but beyond this I don't see 



that more ought to be required of them ; all other mat- 

 ters should be left to their discretion. The trials, I 

 presume, are intended to ascertain and prove the value 

 of the engine under trial, with all its merits or demerits, 

 and with all its improvements and additions, be they 

 good or bad, as exhibitedbefore the judges by the sanguine 

 exhibitors. The Society should be provided with every 

 necessary scientific apparatus to test the power, to prove 

 the quantity of tvater used, and the amount of evapora- 

 tion. Indeed, every aid must be offered by the Society 

 to insure a perfect trial; but every manufacturer should 

 be left perfectly free to take his own course in the con- 

 struction and manufacture of his engine. It is for the 

 judges to say if he has succeeded in producing the best 

 in his class. I take it as a necessary adjunct that exhi- 

 bitors shall be required to state of what and how such 

 parts of their engine is constructed, which does not ap- 

 pear to the view of the judges ; beyond that, the judges 

 should detect any defect, or note any progression, and 

 the Society should always have the power to take to 

 pieces any engine for examination, if required by the 

 judges. In arranging for the trial of these engines, the 

 coal should be of the best bituminous quality, equally 

 broken and clear from rubbish or dust, all accurately 

 weighed from the same heap. The trials should take 

 place under a suitable shed, containing the engine and 

 dynamometer. 



Thrashing Machines. — The grain to be thrashed 

 should all be from the same stack, and the sheaves should 

 be weighed as well as counted. The trial should take 

 place also under a suitable shed, and should extend to 

 fifteen or thirty minutes each, during which time every 

 circumstance in the working and dressing must be care- 

 fully noted by the engineers and judges, and the produce 

 weighed as well as measured, thus making a double test 

 — the weight and quantity — the greater weight proving 

 the better dressing. 



Mills of all kinds. — At the Lincoln Meeting a standard 

 sample was crushed or ground, and time given for ex- 

 hibitors to adjust their mills to this standard, and from 

 this point the adjudications were made. At Carlisle, 

 the best samples produced with the least waste of power 

 was the chief guide. This was carefully tested. I re- 

 collect seeing a mill there dancing about under trial 

 most amusingly, owing to ill-regulated power. This is 

 a great point for consideration. They should have 

 thirty minutes each for a trial, and time for adjustment 

 for different qualities of flour and meal. 



Chaff Cutters. — These are very various in make 

 and adaptation, and quahfied for cutting different lengths. 

 In trial all should be set to accomplish the same kind of 

 work, and to cut the same length of chaff; otherwise no 

 real test can be given. It is suggested- that some foreign 



