Report on the Trials of Implements at Bedford. G77 



of the above barrel ; while James Coultas came in second, the 

 barrel and stirrrers being constructed on the same principle as 

 Chambers's. 



The difficulty of distributing all kinds of superphosphates, 

 whether damp or dry, has not yet been overcome by imple- 

 ment-makers. There is therefore no class of implements in 

 which a greater improvement might be effected. When even 

 the driest superphosphate is subjected to a rubbing action, it 

 at once becomes pasty, which is therefore the great drawback 

 in Reeves and Son's distributor, where the manure is delivered 

 from a false bottom by a revolving barrel working in the ma- 

 nure-box ; this barrel being composed of a number of sections, 

 with projecting blades. When the superphosphate is dry, 

 Chambers's barrel delivers it very well, because the revolving 

 notched barrel is placed at the bottom of the manure-box, and 

 the superphosphate lying loosely on the barrel, is carried over by 

 the small projections. The stirrers do not rub the manure, be- 

 cause they are placed against the side of the manure-box, near 

 its opening. 



No. 3845. Tlioinas Chamhers, of Colkirk Hall, Fal-enham. — This distri- 

 butor, as has ah-eady been mentionai, was invented by the exhibitor, and was 

 lirst exhibited at the Lincoln Meeting in 1854, The manure-box is made 

 with wood sides and cast-metal ends, and it is levelled on uneven ground by a 

 crank-handle behind, communicating by a horizontal shaft with a bevel gearing 

 and screw in front. 



A cylindrical barrel, having a number of small projections on its circum- 

 ference, placed at the bottom of the manure-box, carries over the manure, 

 and delivers it into a partitioned wooden hopper. A number of small steel 

 spring scrapers, placed side by side against the barrel, clean every part of it at 

 each revolution. 



The stirrers are placed against the front inclined side of the manure- 

 box, near its opening, a lateral motion being given to them. The width of 

 delivery is 7 feet, while the price of the machine is 201. 15s. — somewhat high. 

 It made good work. 



No. 2804. James Coultas, of Grantham, — This distributor is of similar con- 

 struction to the one last-described. The manure-barrel is geared off both 

 driving-wheels, which arrangement equalizes the pressure upon the horse's 

 shoulder. Another improvement is that the box is cleaned out by a door at 

 the bottom in front, while the gearing is capped and well protected from all 

 dust and dirt. Its extreme effective width is 6 ft. 6 in., and its price IQl. 

 The work of this distributor was also good. 



No. 1592. lieeves and Son, of Bratton, Westhury. — The manure-barrel is 

 made of cast-iron sections, fixed upon a wrought-iron spindle. The sections 

 have blades on them, which are set so as to form a right and left-hand screw. 

 The barrel is divided in the centre, and is geared with both driving-wheels, 

 so as to equalize the draught. 



The bottom of the manure-box has holes in it, the quantity being regulated 

 by a slide below; the revolving barrel forces the manure through these 

 openings, delivering it on to a partitioned wooden trough. The cog-wheels on 

 either side may be raised by a lever-handle, and thus thrown out of gear ; 

 and in finishing a field, one-half of the barrel may be worked by itself. The 



