436 Report on the Exhibition and Trial of Implements 



straight, they must be parallel. Hence it appears that if a horse-hoe can he 

 constructed to hoe two rows at once, or, as it may be better expressed and 

 nnderstood, hoe one space and two halves, double the quantity of work will be 

 accomplished. The same rule holds good with regard to turnips on the flat, 

 where four-row drills (which is frequently the case) are used. And as hoeing 

 two rows of turnips at one and the same operation is only moderate work for 

 a horse, we incline to believe that this kind of horse-hoe ■will be most required. 

 Several hoes were exhibited and entered for trial, the oliject of which was to 

 thin the plants b}' striking them across. Of this class Messrs. Howard 

 exhibited one (stand 47,_ article 5) on the principle of a revolving harrow, 

 and intended not only to thin the plants but to loosen and disturb the crust 

 which frequently surrounds them. Although this implement would be used 

 only in a busy season, and when men were otherwise employed, it has some 

 claims to notice for ingenuity, as well as novelty in construction. Mr. Huck- 

 vale's revolving horse-hoe (stand 5, article 47) is improved since last year. 

 The stroke across the turnips is now taken obliquely, so that the machine 

 being in motion the action of the knife is straight. The hoe worked well, but 

 it appeared to require some further amendment, and we venture to hint that if 

 the front wheels could be made to work at pleasure either on the ridge or in 

 the furrow, it would materially assist in guiding the machine in the work. 

 And we think it w-ould work steadier if the side hoes were to take more of an 

 anchor form behind the frame of the machine. And perhaps the knives would 

 carry less dirt and weeds if they were narrower, and the space between them 

 less, so that less turnips might be left in the tuft. We are anxious to see 

 this implement brought into general use, and for these reasons we have ven- 

 tured an opinion and given it a commendation. Mr. Garrett's revolving horse- 

 hoe (stand 28, article 16) was on a similar plan to Huckvale's, but different in 

 construction," and not equal to Huckvale's in separating the turnips and carrying 

 the dirt away. In the class of revolving hoes must be noticed Mr. Eaton's 

 (stand '20, article 1). Tliis implement worked better on a second trial than the 

 first, but yet required a good deal of power to hold it in proper position. We 

 think this implement and others of a similar class would be improved if those 

 parts exerting most power or doing most work could be placed in the aft part 

 of the machine, instead of the centre or front, as they generally are. This 

 aiTangemcnt would give increased stability to the machine, and cause it to 

 follow the line of draught with greater accuracy. 



The following table shows a classification of horse-hoes, and we think it 

 Avould be well if the Society's premiums for the future should distinguish 

 between hoes for roots and hoes for corn : — 



