548 



Report on the Exhibition of Implements 



There were ten less of these machines exhibited at Norwich 

 than at York. All the best machines extant were, however, 

 brouo^ht forward, and there was no reason to regret the reduction 

 in numbers. The names of Whitehead, Scragg, and Clajton 

 still appear at the head of the list, and with one or two exceptions 

 their machines are the only ones which call for any particular 

 notice. One of these exceptions is the one invented by Mr. 

 Weller, and exhibited by Messrs. Garrett. This machine un- 

 doubtedly made very good tiles at a tolerably rapid rate ; and had 

 the principle of construction been as good as the workmanship, it 

 would have been very hard to beat, for, as might be supposed 

 from its being in Messrs. Garrett's hands, it was exceedingly well 

 got up and admirably served. It is, however, impossible for skill 

 and zeal on the part of master and man to enable a machine to 

 compete successfully with those on a decidedly better principle ; 

 and there are two weak points in this implement, either of which 

 would be conclusive with the present close competition : one is, 

 that it is worked by lever, a very objectionable mode of applying 

 hand-power; and the other, its having cylinders which require to 

 be placed in a different position for filling to that which they 

 occupy when at work. This necessarily takes up time and com- 

 plicates the construction, and contrasts unfavourably with the 

 simplicity and substantial character of the fixed clay-box. 



The case of Mr. Clayton's machine is somewhat similar, and 

 the duty of a reporter becomes painful when it is necessary to 

 point out objections to an implement upon which great labour 

 and mechanical ingenuity have been perseveringly bestowed, and 

 which when first introduced was a decided improvement upon 

 those which had preceded it. That Mr. Clayton's machine 

 makes excellent work is undeniable, but when it is necessary to 

 decide which is the best principle of construction, it is at once 

 apparent that the numerous clever contrivances by which his 

 shifting cylinders are made as litde objectionable as possible, are 

 yet proofs of the faulty nature of the original plan. The first 



