342 Report on the Exhibition of Implements 



present system of construction, little remains to be done as regards 

 fulfilling the required objects of this most important class of im- 

 plements. Seed-corn of every description may be deposited with 

 the greatest precision, in any quantity, and at any desirable dis- 

 tance and depth. The manure-depositing machinery has, hereto- 

 fore, opposed the greatest difficulties, but these have rapidly 

 yielded to skill and experience ; and, now, even damp compost is 

 put into the soil, conjointly with the seed, and with a regularity 

 which leaves little room for further improvement. 



To Mr. Hornsby, of Spittlegate, near Grantham, the Society's 

 prize of 30/. was again considered to be due for his drill for corn 

 and general purposes. The implement differs chiefly from that 

 exhibited last year in the parts affecting the delivery of manure or 

 of compost. Mr. Hornsby has succeeded in producing a constant 

 agitation of the manure in the box, by communicating to the 

 stirrers a rising and falling motion, as they revolve, and, at the 

 same time, traverse the box from end to end ; so that no part of 

 the contents remains in a quiet state, or can become consolidated. 

 In addition, he has fixed the slide, or inner part of the box, on 

 hinges, so that the attendant can contract or expand the aperture 

 through which the manure falls into the delivering-cups, and 

 thereby regulate its'discharge and deposition with the greatest exact- 

 ness. The whole mechanical arrangements and execution of this 

 drill are excellent, durable, and yet so simple that an ordinary 

 labourer is competent to adjust it for every description of work. 



To Messrs. Garrett and Son, of Saxmundham, the judges 

 awarded the premium of 20/. for a ridge-turnip and manure drill, 

 and have to notice some alterations in its structure which render 

 the implement applicable to a greater variety of soils than the one 

 rewarded at Liverpool. The drilling part of the machine is now 

 supported on two wheels, from which the requisite power is de- 

 rived, and motion communicated to the apparatus for stirring and 

 delivering the seed and manure. The pressing-rollers are at- 

 tached to a fore carriage removable at pleasure. An improve- 

 ment has also been introduced in the manure-box by giving to 

 the stirrers a perpendicular as well as a revolving movement ; 

 and the quantity delivered is regulated by raising or lowering a 

 slide, which enlarges or diminishes the space through which it 

 falls. In the latter respects, however, the judges consider Mr. 

 Hornsby 's machinery the most effective. 



The excellent assortment of machines exhibited by these and 

 other makers bore testimony to the general advancement of me- 

 chanical skill, both as regards finish of work and the large com- 

 prehension of the purposes to which mechanism may be rendered 

 subservient in agriculture. In design, as well as in the details 

 of execution, a marked improvement was observable. 



