728 Report on the Trials of Implements at Bedford. 



A writing-desk, d, with cupboard 3 ft. 10 in. x 2 ft. G in, x 1 ft. 2 in, under- 

 neath, is fitted up at one end of the van, while at the other end there is a deep 

 Tjox, e, with two clothes-lockers, 4 ft. x 2 ft. 6 in. x 1 ft. 3 in., underneath. 



A cupboard, f, ventilated from outside, is in one corner opposite the bed d^ ; 

 under this cupboard is an open box, 4 ft. 2 in. x 3 ft. 2 in., with three 14-inch 

 shelves ; at the side of this are eight open spaces, G, 1 ft. 2 in, x 12 in, x 12 in., 

 with two cupboards of same size above. 



The van is well lighted by two windows at the ends, at d and e, each 2 ft, 

 6 in, X 1 ft. 10 in. ; these swinging on a central pivot. Ventilators are fixed 

 in the roof, sides and ends, and are very perfect in their action. 



The dimensions of the van are 16 ft. x 7 ft. 4 in. x 7 ft., and its capacity . 

 is 821-56 cubic feet. 



The van rests on strong springs, which are rather rough. It turns freely. 

 The carriage is of oak, with ash framing and deal sides. In construction it 

 was considered not sufficiently strong for drawing heavy implements behind it. 

 Two boxes are fitted underneath for carrying tools and spare gear. Its price 

 is high— 110?. 



First Prize of lU. to J. Fowler and Co. (992), of Leeds, 

 Second Prize of 101. to Aveling and Porter (5047), of Piochester. 

 Highly Commended. — M. Faulkes (586), of Bingham, Notts. 



For Table XXXIL, Vans for Steam Cultivation, see p. 727. 



Class XXXIII. For the lest Guard or Appliance to the Drum 

 of a Threshing-Machine, for preventing Accidents to the People 

 employed. — At the CardifT trials of threshing-machines a Medal 

 Avas awarded to Wilder's patent self-feeding apparatus attached 

 to a threshing-machine, and at the subsequent General Meeting 

 of Members of the Society, held in December last, a suggestion 

 was made by Mr. H. Corbet, on behalf of Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., 

 that the Council should offer a special prize for the most efficient 

 guard to the drum of a threshing-machine at work. The Council 

 therefore resolved to offer the large Gold Medal of the Society, 

 " for the best guard or appliance to the drum of a threshing- 

 machine for preventing accidents to people employed." 



The number of entries on the list was fifteen ; of these, 

 eleven were presented for trial, which, together with three not 

 entered for trial, made in all fourteen. 



None of the guards were sufficiently simple and effective ; some 

 of them being somewhat obstructive to the feeding, and there- 

 by increasing the danger. Clayton and Shuttleworth's Wilder's 

 self-feeding apparatus was the most effective as a guard ; but 

 could not be said to come within the instructions of the Society 

 for awarding the prize. The Judges, therefore, withheld the 

 prize, recommending that two prizes should be offered next year, 

 one for a combined guard and feeder, and the other for a guard. 



It is of the utmost importance that the feeding is not ob- 

 structed by the drum-guard. 



The appliances entered to compete were constructed on various 



