at the Chelmsford Meeting, 1856, 577 



To those who have watched the experiments at the successive meetings of the 

 Society these will appear very comnion and lamiliar truths, but it is impossible 

 to travel far in any direction witliout seeing that they are unknown or imap- 

 preciated by vast numbers to whom such knowledge would be an important 

 benefit. To diffuse this knowledge and extend the use of our best implements 

 is one of the special objects of tlic Society, and there is perhaps no better mode 

 of quickening the process than by such exhibitions and trials as are here re- 

 corded. 



Water-drop Drill. 



This is one of the few implements exhibited which can lay claim to the title 

 of an entirely new and at the same time most useful inv^tion. The drill, 

 though exhibited by Messrs. Garrett and Sons, is the invention of Mr. Thomas 

 Chambers, a tenant farmer in Norfolk, honourabh' known as the inventor of 

 the best manure distributor. On the propriety of subjecting this invention to 

 trial there appeared some diversity of opinion among the officers of the Society, 

 as tlie class of drills will be tested in due course next year. The Judges unani- 

 mously decided that the water-drop drill was essentially a new implement, and 

 could, therefore, compete for a special prize offered by the Society for such 

 novelties. 



Mr. Chambers' invention is confined entirely to the coulter, which can 

 readily be applied to any water-drill now used. The drop is effected in an 

 extremely simple and eflQcient manner, and cannot fail to increase the reputa- 

 tion which Mr. Chambers has deservedly established by the invention of his 

 manure distributor. The water, seed, and manure are passed into a hollow 

 iron wheel, which revolves. This wheel is furnislied with three orifices, so 

 that at each revolution three bunches are dropped. 



The ])rinciiile of a drop drill has often been advocated as economising manure 

 and seed, by placing them only where they are wanted. But dropping the seed 

 with any dusty manure lessened the chance of its germinating in dry weather. 

 This objection is obviated by the application of water, and as the water is 

 dropped in one spot instead of being distributed in a continuous stream, suffi- 

 cient moisture can be given to cause the seed to vegetate in the driest season. 

 After an interesting trial the success of the implement was fully established, 

 ami the Judges had much pleasure in recommending the Council to bestow a 

 I-irize of 5/. on the invention. They regretted that no mention of this award 

 was made in the prize list published by the Society, and that no placard was 

 issued to Mr. Chambers by which his success could be made public in the show- 

 yard. 



Reaping Machines. 



The trial of these machines at Chelmsford constituted, as in former years, 

 one of the most attractive features of the Society's show. 



A large attendance of agriculturists from all parts of England, in addition 

 to many from the continent, attested the interest which is felt in the progress 

 of these machines, and the importance of securing so valuable a substitute for 

 human labour in the critical and urgent labours of tlie harvest. 



Four machines were submitted for trial upon a standing crop of rye, which, 

 as it presented no sort of difliculty, so it aflbrded no adequate test of the com- 

 parative merit of the several machines. 



These trials early in July, ujion crops so unlike those for which reapers are 

 required, have long been felt to funush most inadequate data for jud':;ing of their 

 merits ; and after the careful and extended trials last year so liberally alVorded 

 by Mr. Miles, at Leigh Court, the Jud'_'es were unwilling to di.sturb the result 

 of those trials ujioii an oxi)erimcnt so limited and unsatisfactcny as was atlorded 

 them at Chelmsford. These circumstances being represented to the Stewards, 

 it was decided to send the machines for a furtlier trial upon Mr. Fisher Ilobbs' 

 estate at JJoxtcd Ixxlge, near Colchester. 



