442 Purport on the Exliibitvm and Trial of Implements 



travelling wheel or wlieels Iw a " cam movement." The cutting is also new ; 

 it is performed by two rows of blades, tlie upper ones being in motion, and 

 the lower fixed. They are easily replaced, and are less liable to clog or choke 

 than the old plans of cutters and guards, ilessrs. Dray and Co.'s (Catchome's) 

 machine, made good work in the clover-tield, but appeared more liable to 

 obstructions or hindrances ; it did not take so great a breadth as the Eagle 

 machine, and yet the labour appeared to be harder. 1'hese machines were 

 subsequently tried in the grass-field, and certainly a severer test could scarcely 

 be found. The grass long, old, and much entangled, an experienced mower 

 was greatly perj)lcxed at it ; added to which there were a number of surface- 

 drains, deep, and running in variolas directions. Here the superiority of the 

 Eagle machine was manifest ; bj' the lialancing arrangement it was enabled with 

 comparative ease to overcome the difficulty of crossing the grips ; but no machine 

 could cut the grass properly : it foiled the scythemen. However, some fair 

 work was done by it, and by the machine of Messrs. Dray- and Co. ; indeed, 

 the compact make and strength of the latter enabled it to make the better 

 work in the rough grass. Lord Kinnaird's machine was not able to get 

 through these fonnidable obstructions satisfactorily ; but it is a highly useful 

 machine at a moderate cost. We were gratified in coming to decided adjudica- 

 tion at once. We awarded the first prize of 15Z. to the Eagle machine, and 

 5/. to Messrs. Dray and Co.'s (Catchome's) machine. 



Haymakers, 



Our next duty was to test the Haymaking-machines on the newly-mown 

 grass. It was an interesting trial, and we had considerable competition ; we 

 therefore divided the lOl. at our disposal into four prizes, in order to be a token 

 of merit. Mr. Nicholson's machine scattered the heavy lumps of grass with 

 perfect ease ; nor could we clog it. Its teeth are in good form, it clears itself 

 without difficulty, and has a rapid and good backward motion. The mechanical 

 arrangements are simple. The adjustments for altering its' motions, raising 

 and lowering the forks, and to prevent clogging, are very satisfactory. It 

 is fitted with tubular shafts. Price 151. We awarded it our first prize of 4?. 

 Messrs. Barrett, Exall, and Andrcwes' machine was put through severe trials 

 to test the liability to choke. We could not choke it ; and after a close 

 competition with Messrs. Smith and Ashby's machine, we awarded it the 

 second prize of ol. It is of simple construction and easy adjustment. The 

 oiling parts covered with a cylinder, and it has a lever-reversing movement. 

 Messrs. Smith and Ashby's came next into our favour. It did its work 

 admirably both in its backward and fonvard motion ; in the severe test we 

 adopted it betrayed sj'mptoms of clogging, but did not actually do so. It is 

 of excellent construction ; its various adjustments for facilitating it in Avork, 

 reversing its action, and raising or lowering its tines, are very good and 

 simple. The price is 15Z. 15s. Though higher in price thair some, none have 

 superior workmanship. Prize of 21. Mr. H. A. Thompson's came next in 

 trial and favour. It proved well in work in every respect. Its mechanical 

 construction and the adjustment forgiving it steadiness in work are veiy good. 

 Its tines have double prongs to make its forward and backward action more 

 effective. Price IGl. 16s. Prize II. Messrs. Piansome and Sims' is the 

 same with Nicholson's patent, and is beautifully manufactured. The price, 

 161. 16s. Wyatt's is almost a new invention, and has several peculiar adajjta- 

 tions which are very ingenious. It is well made, and price moderate, 14Z. 14s. 

 It worked fairly, but our severe test choked it. Samuelson's machine, by 

 some unhappy adjustment, did not Avork satisfactorily. Price, 13Z. 13s. 

 Silcock's machine also failed in trial ; this was also owing to some irregularity 

 in adjusting it for work. Lane's macliine failed from similar causes. Exhi- 



