at the Cheliny.Jord 2ilcctinu, 185G. 579 



shaved by any other. The power of cutting in any direction, of delivering the 

 corn on either side, right or left, and of requiring no scytheman to prepare its 

 way, are advantages peculiar to this machine. 



These have hitherto been considered as counterbalanced by the excessive 

 draught of the machine, by the liability of the delivery-web to become dis- 

 ordered, and by the labour and difficulty of steerage. These drawbacks have 

 since last year been in a considerable degi-ee removed. The delivery-web has 

 been superseded by three gutta-percha bands, which, without detracting from 

 its fonner efScient delivery, has reduced friction and greatly diminished draught. 

 Other minor alterations have been made still further diminishing draught. 



These improvements, in connexion with the actual performance of the ma- 

 chine at Boxted, the Judges believe fully justify their award, and place this 

 implement the first in its class. 



In awarding a prize to Dray and Co.'s machine as the best reaper for wheat 

 crops, the Judges would observe that this machine has few^ points in common 

 with the other machines. Dray's machine is strictly a reajjirHf machine, and 

 in practice must be limited to such crops as can be immediately bound. The 

 others are really mowing machines, and have a wider application. As a reaper 

 the Judges consider ]\Ir. Dray's tlie best macliine, and that it can be economi- 

 cally use<l is evident from the Boxted trials. In 1 hr. 40 min. it ciit extremely 

 clean and well 1a. 2r. 27p. of a strong wheat crop, and with two men with 

 the machine and six men to tie, the whole crop was set up in three minutes 

 after the corn was cut. This will give in all eight hands, at a cost of say 

 11. lis. per day, and at the rate above given the quantity cut in twelve hours 

 would be 11a. 3r. 9p. This is far superior to any result from manual labour. 



Although the Judges cannot help repeating the expression of their regret that 

 very little improvement has been made in these machines during the past year, 

 they are nevertheless of opinion that in their present state they may in many 

 districts be used with great advantage and economy ; and they entertain no 

 doubt that in a short time they will come into general use, and meet all rea- 

 sonable requirements. 



Steam Cultivation. 



A prize of .500Z. was offered by the Society for the " Steam cultivator, 

 that shall in the most efficient manner turn over the soil, and be an economical 

 substitute for the plough or the spade." 



The trials of the steam cultivators formed unquestionably the chief feature 

 of this year's exhibition, and will doubtless mark an important era in the history 

 of the Society. 



There seems now no reason to doubt that the cultivation of land by the 

 mighty agency of steam will be accomplished, that what has hitherto been 

 regarded as the fond dream of theorists will become a reality, and that 

 agriculture will be rescued from the reproach that it has been unable to use in 

 its daily operations an agency which has been such an element of power and 

 prosperity to all other industries. 



Two cultivators, differing considerably in their cl)aractcrand mrde of opera- 

 tion, one belonging to Mr. Smith of Woolston, the other to Mr. Fowler, were 

 exhibited for competition. Mr. Smith's apjiaratus consists of a common 7-horsc 

 portable steam-engine, and a stationary windlass fixed in the corner of a tield. 



A coujJe of J-inch wire ropes are led from the 2 drums on the windlass, 

 in ojiposite directions round 4 anchored pulleys, and meet at the cultivating 

 implement, thus passing round the field ; 2 anchors being fixed, and 2 shifted 

 from time to time along each hcndland as the work proceeds. Mr. Smith uses 

 cultivators or grubbers of a peculiar kind, taking a breadth of aboul 3 feet at a 

 time, and be has an ingenious mu<le of turning tlum quickly at the end of the 

 furrows. He does not attempt to plough or invert the soil, but scarifies or 

 baulks it : about 4 acres is the work of 12 hours, and the cost, including wear and 



