646 Report on the Trials of Implements at Bedford. 



greatly used in Bedfordshire and Northamptonsliire, and is especially useful 

 for hilly districts. 



The seed-box, a (Figs. 8 and 9, pp. 644 and 645), hangs upon two pivots, J,, 

 which are attached to wooden upright supports, so that it is made to keep 

 always level in going up or down hill. Side handles, b, act as steerage levers, 

 and are fixed to a cross beam, which is in two pieces, joined together by a 

 plate, and works ujDon a centre pin. A cross handle, d, is bolted to the side 

 handles by means of which the drill is steered. The two handles, E, are 

 used at the headland for raising the coulters off the ground and carrying them 

 round. The wheels, ic, consist of wooden nave and spokes ; these latter being 

 fastened to a malleable iron tyre, and thus dispensing with felloes. 



In traveUing from field to field the wheels are taken off the axle H, and 

 are placed on the upward cranked axle F ; thus balancing the machine on the 

 wheels and raising it off the ground. 



The whole weight of the drill rests upon the coulters, p, and in this respect 

 differs from all other drills entered for trial. The weight of the drill is dis- 

 tributed from its centre over the coulter levers, by balance-irons, o, so that 

 each lever may work independently. 



The gearing consists in a sj^indle working in a socket, a slot being cut in 

 the socket, and a cotter slot in the spindle ; in this latter slot a cotter is 

 placed, which works in the slot of the socket. Thus by a bevel gearing and 

 two pinion wheels, a rotary motion is given to a spindle, the end of which, 

 by means of a ball-and-socket joint, is connected with the gearing in the seed- 

 box, and by this arrangement the gearing accommodates itself to the backward 

 and forward motion of the box in going up or down hill. 



Not one of the drills on trial equalled this one in going to any required 

 depth. When the man presses the handles, d, a great weight is thrown on to 

 the coulter-levers, because he is assisted by the weight of the drill, which 

 also acts on the leverage. In the trial, the coulters were made to penetrate 

 the soil to a depth of from 6 to 7 inches ; this drill is thus admirably adapted 

 for hard soils. It is well constructed, and its price, 17/. 5s., is moderate. 



No. 111. William Gilbert, of Shippon, Abingdon, — This is not a highly- 

 finished machine, but delivered its seed more regularly than any other drill 

 on trial. Its price is 187. 



No. 2794. James Coultas, of Orantham. — This drill is of the same con- 

 struction as that described in Class II., differing only in width, being 3 ft. 

 11 in., with 8 coulters. Its price is 201. 



First Prize of 101. to W. Walker and Son (341 3), of Bingham. 

 Second Prize of bl. to A. W. Gower and Son (2849), of VVinchfield. 

 Highly Commended. — W. Coleman (5001), of Northampton ; W. Gilbert 

 (177), of Abingdon, Berks ; J. Coultas (2794), of Grantham. 



For Table V., Corn-Dkills, &c., see opposite page. 



Class V. Dinlls for Turnips and other Roots on the Flat. — 

 There were twelve entries, and eight of these were presented for 

 trial. This was a good class, and the honours were carried off 

 by Messrs. Coultas and Reeves and Son. At Plymouth Coultas 

 stood second, and Reeves fourth, against two competitors who 

 did not enter any machines for trial at Bedford. This class 

 Avas tried in field No. 2, the manure distributor being tested 

 with damped ashes. Each drill was run for about 200 yards, 

 and, after the first run, three were selected for a second trial. 



