240 



THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



interest of the memorable contest at Edinburgh, and 

 only one English firm, that of Page, of Bedford, en- 

 gaged in them. It was, indeed, curious to see Howard's 

 and Hornsby's ploughs sent only on the strict under- 

 standing of " not for competition," after what occurred 

 last year, when one of these did compete, and the other 

 vowed to do so ou the next opportunity. As it was, 

 the Council very properly refused to allow any plough 

 to go to work but such as came under the eye of the 

 judges, and a plough proper in repose is not either a 

 very engrossing spectacle, nor a very conclusive argu- 

 ment, particularly on people with " prejudices" to be 

 removed. A very elaborate prize list will tell out with 

 the subjoined synopsis, the story of 



THE IMPLEMENTS. 



The result of our first general survey of the implement 

 department was the impression that it did not pi-esent 

 those features of completeness and general excellence 

 which distinguished the show held at the queen of cities 

 — " Edina, Scotia's darling seat." The more steady and 

 regular search for novelties, however, which we made to 

 succeed the general survey above spoken of, gradually dis- 

 abused us of this impression to a groat extent ; but not 

 quite, for, undoubtedly, the show is somewhat defi- 

 cient in what may be called the heavy machines, as steam 

 engines and the like, and is chiefly distinguished by its 

 collection of the lighter implements of the farm. It is 

 just possible, still, that the peculiar position of the 

 field laid out for the reception of implements tends to 

 bring out a feeling of disappointment on first entering 

 it ; for a high ridge, which bisects — so to speak — the 

 field in the direction of its length, hides one large divi- 

 sion of the department almost altogether from observa- 

 tion, so that the spectator has to walk up to the crown 

 of this ridge, and to look right and left, before he can 

 take in the whole array of aids which mechanical genius 

 has brought out to assist the processes of that art which 

 ministers to all others. The lack of " shedding " too 

 gives a bareness to the field ; and the machines and im- 

 plements, spread out as they are over a wide space, with 

 ample alleys between, off"er little for the eye to rest 

 upon. To one fresh from the fields of Kent, and 

 the crowded show-yard which last month graced them, 

 the implement department of the Highland Society's 

 gathering presents a scantiness which in reality it does 

 not possess. This absence of "shedding " still, we are 

 sorry to find, is one of the features of the Highland 

 Society's show-yard. Certainly, to one accustomed to 

 machinery, and cognizant of the labour which is ex- 

 pended in getting up the fine work which is the charac- 

 teristic of much of our agricultural mechanism now-a- 

 day, very pitiable is it to have such subjected to the 

 pelting rain or the pearly dew. Improvements, men 

 say, come slowly ; let us hope that it will in this case 

 come surely. 



Another feature — and one we have before noticed — in 

 the Highland Society's showyard, is the classification of 

 the implements and machines under different sections, 

 those having reference to one class of operations being 

 kept quite distinct from those of another, bearing upon 

 a different class. Exhibitors hold this mode of classifi- 

 cation as inducive not only of inconvenience, but of 

 loss, to them. But, so far as the judges are con- 

 cerned, and the intelligent observer, the mode is 

 certainly as convenient in operation as it is philo- 

 sophical in principle. We fear that the views will 

 be always antagonistic of those who wish the show to 

 have all the characteristics of a seUinrj mart, and 

 of those who desire to make it merely an exhibition 

 where agriculturists may best see what is good and 

 what 18 new. It is difficult to make a compromise 

 which will satisfy both, further than that which the 



Society has already carried out — namely, having 

 " general collections," where each exhibitor can store 

 what and how he pleases, still entering in the " sec- 

 tions," should he feel disposed to go for the prizes. 

 It certainly seems reasonable to suppose that the inter- 

 ests of the exhibition should not give way altogether to 

 those of the exhibitors ; and this need not be said as in- 

 volving forgetfulness of the fact that the exhibitors have 

 done, and still do, so much to make the meeting what it 

 is. It is easy to understand what the manufacturers feel 

 on the point ; but also to note how admirably adapted the 

 system of classification is for all the purposes — and they 

 are undoubtedly valuable — of comparative observation. 

 It is to be regretted that, in consequence of the back- 

 wardness of the crops, no public trial of the reaping 

 machines could take place. This, together with the 

 absence of steam cultivating apparatus, gives a lack 

 of interest and excitement to the meeting, which is 

 unfortunate. It is a pity that arrangements could not 

 have been made to have had a steam cultivating appa- 

 ratus at work. 



In the implement department, ^247 is offered for 

 first, and 83 bronze medals as second prizes. The 

 highest prize offered this year is ^£^20 for the best 

 thrashing machine with steam power.- Two prizes of 

 ^'10 each are offered for the best reaping machine, 

 " manual delivery," and the best machine with " self- 

 delivery." A special prize of £'10 is given by Lord 

 Ashburton to the inventor of the " best drag for the 

 common cart, to be exhibited in working order." 

 This has called out a good many competitors, some of 

 whom show contrivances of considerable ingenuity. 



As before said, there is certainly a lack of heavy 

 machinery ; and the same may be said of novelty. 

 Considered simply as such, this is not perhaps greatly 

 to be regretted, although it is always desirable to see it, 

 when combined with utility. It is an evidence, at all 

 events, of a desire on the part of the manufacturer to 

 improve his mechanism. All attempts to simplify ar- 

 rangements of parts should be hailed with welcome by 

 farmers ; for simplicity of parts is what they require. 

 A complex machine, though greatly to be admired in 

 a mechanical point of view, is not adapted for the too- 

 often rough-and-readjf work of the field or farm build- 

 ings. 



Before glancing at the " sections" in rotations, and 

 noting any novelties therein, let us briefly draw atten- 

 tion to the general collections, some of which are re- 

 markably good. There are in all 289 entries in the 

 " general collection department." The stand of 

 Caldow and McKinnel, of Dumfries, is, perhaps, the 

 most complete of Scotch makers. This firm exhibit 

 specimens of turnip cutters for sheep, Tennant's drill, 

 grubbers, chaff cutters, oilcake mills, cheese presses, 

 harrows, pumps, rollers— in all 62 entries. That of 

 Messrs. Young, Peddie, and Co., of Edinburgh, is re- 

 plete with many objects of interest : we noticed a very 

 good form of small hand hay rake, or for stubbles, the 

 tines of which can be very easily lifted out of work. 

 The same firm exhibits various specimens of field gates, 

 grubbers, rick stands, different forms of wire netting, 

 and a set of stable furniture. The contributions of this 

 firm amount in number to 45. John Gray and Co., of 

 Uddingston, near Glasgow, exhibit specimens of their 

 plough, swing and trench, horse hoes, straw cutters, 

 and churns— in all 11 entries. The trustees of the late 

 John Maxwell, Stakeford Foundry, Dumfries, show an ' 

 excellent collection of machines and implements, 

 amongst which we noticed particularly a five-horse 

 portable thrashing machine, characterised by excellence 

 of work and compactness of arrangement. Steam 

 engines form also part of the collection ; turnip cutters, 

 harrows, grubbers, oilcake breakers, corn-bruisers. 



