at the Bristol Meetvuj in 1842. 353 



examination of the Society's show-yard, and whose attention is 

 demanded by such a vast assemblage of implements. The quality of 

 the work done can be tolerably well appreciated in the yard, but 

 the quantity performed in a given time, and with a given force — ■ 

 upon which facts a decision as to economy, and the most effective 

 construction, must be grounded — can only be ascertained by trials 

 of sufficient length and exactness. 



Subsoil-pulverizers. — The collections of most of the larger ma- 

 chine-makers contained specimens of subsoil-ploughs, efficiently 

 constructed after well-known models. Of these it is unnecessary 

 to make particular mention. Three implements of this class were 

 selected for trial, which deserve special notice. 



The Honourable M. VV. B. Nugent, of Higham Grange, near 

 Hinckley, Leicestershire, exhibited an implement of his own in- 

 vention, which may be correctly termed a subsoil-pulverizer, 

 as its object is to undermine, break, and stir the subsoil, with- 

 out raising it to the surface, which latter is the specilic func- 

 tion of the plough. These two operations are distinct in their 

 intent and nature ; it would appear, therefore, to be more cor- 

 rect to designate the implements used for the two purposes by 

 distinct and appropriate names. Mr. Nugent's subsoil -pulverizer 

 consists of several strong curved coulters, or teeth, so fixed to the 

 beam of the implement as to work under the soil at unequal 

 depths, and at distances varying from each other both in length 

 and breadth. Thus, the mass to be broken up is not opposed 

 to the action of a single blade, as in the common subsoil-plough, 

 but is cut and disturbed by the successive action of several blades, 

 which penetrate, loosen, and move the soil to the respective depths 

 at which they may be set to act ; for which purpose, and to suit 

 various soils, each tine is made adjustable. The implement sub- 

 mitted to trial, which was the first yet constructed, had four blades 

 operating in succession, at six, nine, twelve, and sixteen inches in 

 depth, moving, pulverizing, and incorporating the soil to that depth, 

 and to about twelve inches in the transverse section. It is fur- 

 nished with two leading, and two hind or trailing, wheels, for the 

 following purposes : — First, for assisting in the regulation of the 

 depth stirred; second, to travel the implement; third, to raise the 

 teeth out of the ground at the end of a bout. Much ingenuity and 

 good workmanship were displayed in bringing about these ends, 

 and in accomplishing, by the hand, and at the will of the holder, 

 an instantaneous change in the working depth of the blades. 



Some of the mechanical details of this implement were not in 

 a complete state, and its action, therefore, not so certain and per- 

 fect as is desirable ; but the judges had no hesitation in awarding 

 a prize to the inventor, as the quality of the work done seemed to 

 them to justify the correctness of the principles which had guided 



