Agricultural Implements and Produce. 43 



I have said that portable steam-enfrines, and threshing-machines, 

 and tile-making machines were not included in the list of agri- 

 cultural implements. 



Unfortunately the classification in the books of the Custom- 

 house corresponds with the classification in the catalogue of the 

 Exhibition, consequently those machines not falling under the 

 denomination of agricultural machines do not partake of this re- 

 duction of duty. 



Of all machines connected with agriculture, there are none in 

 which greater improvements have been made in late years than 

 in machines for making pipe tiles for draining. There is no 

 class of machinery which would be more useful in France. The 

 excellent results of draining are there thoroughly understood and 

 appreciated. Specimens of draining were exhibited by the Mar- 

 quis de Bryas (Gironde) and the Viscount de Rouge (Aisne) from 

 the opposite extremities of France. 



The draining of the Medoc vineyards by Count Duchatel has 

 been attended with complete success. It is computed that one- 

 seventh of the surface of France requires draining. It is under- 

 stood now that draining not only keeps land drier during the 

 rains of winter, but keeps it cooler and more moist during the 

 heats of summer, preventing the baking of the surface by the 

 sun, and promoting the constant progress of vegetation. It is 

 the foundation of all improvements — the first step in the path of 

 good cultivation. No machines attracted so much attention as 

 the tile machines of Messrs. Clayton and Whitehead, exhibited 

 in work. They were surrounded from morning to night by a 

 crowd of spectators. I cannot think it probable that the Go- 

 vernment of France, anxious to promote improvements, and to 

 strengthen the hands of French agriculture, will decline the 

 benefit which is offered to them by the possession of these ap- 

 proved machines. 



Under the law as it at present stands the cost of introducing 

 a tile machine into France exceeds the prime cost of the machine. 

 Mr. Clayton thus reports his experience : — 



" The sale of tile machines for France would have been much 

 greater, but the numerous applicants were deterred by the high 

 rate of duty ; it amounts, indeed, almost to a prohibition. I sold, 

 the other day, a tile machine and pug-mill, to be delivered at 

 Fresnes, near Paris. The sale value of this machinery amounted 

 to 58/, ; the cost for transjiort and Douane charges amounted to 

 62/. — 4/. more than the entire cost of the machinery." 



The threshing-machines were tried by the jury of Class VI. 

 The Enirlish niacliine by Ilornsby, and the American by Pitts, 

 of Buffalo, State of New York, v ere the most approved. The 



