48 



THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



makes the term so ^videly different between cropping 

 and farming. 



Notwithstanding these remarks, the value of all 

 systems of farming must be determined by their 

 effect on an average for a certain number of years, 

 by strict observation and long practice. 



[At the conclusion of the reading of the paper, a 

 discussion arose amongst the members relative to 

 the merits of the system expounded by jNIr. Hender- 

 son, and the Chairman expressed, on behalf of the 

 members of the club, the obligation they were under 

 to Mr. Henderson for his valuable paper.] 



THE TRIALS OF IMPLEMENTS AT CARDIFF, 



We must premise that this is necessarily imperfect ; 

 but we have done our best to acquire correct information, 

 as also to use our judgment in the best manner of which 

 we are cai>able. ^Ye will begin with the trials in the 

 yard as conducted by the Engineering Judges, Messrs. 

 Eaton and Gooch, whose first business appeared to be 

 the trial of the testing brake or power dynamometer. 



Sleam Engines. — Mr. Butlin, of Northampton 

 had the honour of opening the trials by submitting 

 his new and complete engine, designed expressly for 

 strength, simplicity, and economy. It is of six-horse 

 power, and possesses a boiler of great capacity and 

 much heating surface, and a steam dome to control 

 dirty water. Messrs. Brown and Atay's engine fol- 

 lowed. It is of eight-horse power, and also pos- 

 sesses great simplicity, the working parts being out- 

 side, and easily accessible. The cylinder is encased ; 

 the case also is tilled with steam, and thus keeping a 

 high temperature, tends to save fuel. This engine re- 

 ceived the prize of £\Q. Mr. W. C. Cambridge next 

 submitted his eight-horse engine. The cylinder of this is 

 also surrounded by steam, and the pump protected by 

 the smoke-box — a useful contrivance against frosty 

 weather. The prize of £ij was awarded to it. We 

 could wish our space would permit us to go more into 

 detail relative to these interesting trials, and therefore 

 we can only here say that all the trials were marked by 

 great cai"e and correct judgment. 



Tlie Triala of Tkranhing and other Machines.— 

 These were conducted (with the assistance of the En- 

 gineering Judges) by Messrs. Caldwell and Wallis, to 

 whose joint care and nicely-balanced judgment the pub 

 lie are much indebted. The trial of thrashing machines 

 were conducted, as we have already said, upon the prin- 

 ciples laid down by Mr. John Algernon Clarke in a 

 letter lately addressed to the Council of the Royal Agri- 

 cultural Society, viz., a system of points of merit. The 

 brakes or dynamometers used for testing both the 

 steam engines and thrashing machines were invented 

 by Mr. W. Froude, of Darlington, Totnes, and, 

 we believe, performed the duty required admira- 

 bly. The well-known thrashing machine manufac- 

 tured by Messrs. E. and T. Humphries, of Pershore, 

 was first tried. It is fitted with a thin divided trough ; 

 and iilso a very effective little machine is attached, 

 to destroy smuts and take off the capes or 

 whiteheads ; it consists of a revolving brush rubbing 

 against a circle of ribb(;d iron, which not only takes off 

 the white coats, but seiiarates other refuse before going 

 info the second blower, from whence it is blown away. 



This machine again received the first prize of £10. Price 

 i.'93. This also received the £b prize as the best 

 finishing machine. Messrs. Brown and May's machine 

 was next tried. These makers have endeavoured to 

 separate more correctly the straw, cuvings, chaff, and 

 corn, in every stage, into their separate and respective 

 places, and it has all the combinations for perfecting the 

 sample for market and putting it into sacks. Price £93. 

 Messrs. Cambridge's machine was also tried. It is 4 feet 

 6 inches wide, and is adapted for both bolting and 

 thrashing, and, being fitted with his patent dresting 

 apparatus, finishes the corn for market. This proved ex- 

 tremely well on trial. Price £'100. Then came the smaller 

 machines of three or three-and-a-half horse-power, the 

 prize for which was awarded to Mr. II. Bearg, of Lever- 

 ton, Devon. It is a highly useful and complete mucbine, 

 and fitted with excellent apparatus for preparing the 

 corn for final dressing. It can be worked by steam- 

 power. Price if 32, and horse-gear additional .£'15, or 

 complete £.47. The judges do not speak favourably of 

 this class of implements as combined machines. But 

 we must pass on to notice a few smaller machines and 

 gearing. Mr. Boby's screen was practically of great 

 service to the judges, as they submitted the perfected 

 corn to its severe scrutiny, through which, however, it 

 passed imperfectly though creditably — the finishing 

 thrashing machines leaving 5 lbs. of light corn from 

 l.}cwt.,and the hand-dressing machines 4ilbs. from 

 li cwt. of the perfected samples. The trial of chaff- 

 cutters is always a matter of considerable interest, and 

 this year it has lost none of its power, owing to our old 

 friend Cornes having sustained a defeat ; and although 

 we bow almost implicitly to the decision of the judges, 

 aided by the testing-brake and steam-power, we wish 

 the public to bear in mind that when machines are put to 

 such tests, judges are almost compelled to abide by 

 them. We congratulate Mr. Carson on his well-earned 

 victory. It was obtained " after much paina-taking 

 and the working of many figures from the dyna- 

 mometer." He has brought out a highly-useful 

 machine, which, after going through many commenda- 

 tions, has at length obtained the prize, having beaten 

 Mr. Cornes by 7 lbs. in the trial. Price £15— Mr. 

 Cornes, of course, receiving the high commendation. 

 We "noticed a lengthened trial of Rea and Burns' 

 bone-cutting and rasping mill, by Messrs. Lister 

 and Scott, but with no very satisfactory result. 

 It is, however, a machine of considerable value, 

 but from accidental breakage it failed to prove 

 well. The pulse-bruisers, cake-breakers, root pulpers, 



