at the Bristol Meeting in 1842. 343 



Several drills of a more economical character, or restricted to 

 special objects, claimed attention. Mr. Groundsell, of Louth, 

 had a prize assigned him for his drill combined with a newly- 

 invented apparatus for spreading soot, lime, or other light sub- 

 stances, on the surface of the land. Much praise is due to Mr, 

 Grounsell for the great attention he has paid to manure-deposit- 

 ing machinery, and with him, it is understood, the stirrers and 

 expanding sides applied to the manure-boxes of drilling- machines 

 originated. With a little more attention to fittings and finish, 

 Mr. Grounsell's machines would possess still greater excellence ; 

 but, whilst making this remark, the judges would caution agri- 

 cultural mechanics against falling into the opposite extreme, as 

 highly-polished work is not only out of place, but objectionable, 

 when applied to parts of machines inevitably exposed to weather 

 and dirt. It enhances the cost, without any compensating ad- 

 vantage. 



To Mr. Crosskill, of Beverley, a prize was also awarded for a 

 drill to scatter soot and lime, possessing, like Mr. Groundsell's, 

 ingenious contrivances for guarding these light substances from 

 the effects of wind during their deposition. To the same maker 

 another prize was given for a novel machine of the drill kind, 

 called a grass-land cultivator. Its object is to renovate mossy or 

 hide-bound pastures by cutting out the old sward in a series of 

 parallel grooves, which is effected by strong coulters set at any con- 

 venient width asunder, and to a depth suitable to the soil, a drill 

 at the same time depositing fresh seed and compost. The land 

 is afterwards rolled. This implement appeared to be well cal- 

 culated for these useful purposes, and may be the means of re- 

 newing and fertilising old grass lands and parks, without having 

 recourse to the plough to reverse the sod. A liquid manure-cart, 

 by Mr. Crosskill, with pump attached, and contrived either to 

 spread the fluid, or deliver it upon two rows of turnips at any 

 required width, is to be commended as apparently well adapted 

 to its purpose. 



The ingenuity of Mr. Huckvale, of Over Norton, has also 

 been exercised in the construction of an implement for depositing 

 or sprinkling liquid manure. It consists of two water-tight cases 

 for carrying the fluid, fitted into the manure-boxes of his turnip- 

 drilling machine. The fluid is conveyed through a pipe into a 

 second reservoir, in which works a wheel with cups. These col- 

 lect and throw out the liquid in the desired quantity on the turnip 

 ridges. He applies the same machine to pass along the ridges, 

 to sprinkle the young plants with a fluid which he represents as 

 destructive to the fly. A premium of 3/. was adjudged to the 

 inventor for his mechanical skill in bringing about these ends, of 



