588 Remarks on the Implement 



in measuring' and setting out portions of land for trials. The 

 implement trial-floors were injudiciously constructed, and pro- 

 voking difliculties in connecting centres on line of motion. No 

 crane, and so no end of dragging and shunting heavy mills. The 

 crying want with us is more forethought and combined action as 

 regards field and yard trials.* 



The importance of "the soft answer" is nowhere better 

 exemplified that in the office of Implement Steward. If my last 

 year of office could return, I would say to my colleagues, " There 

 is^ ample work for three of us ; we will each take our depart- 

 ment : I would not fear your discretion, only each day report, so 

 that we are not at cross-purposes. We must, as far as may be, 

 keep up the tone in our yard. The Society is bound to carry 

 out its conditions ; routine must give way to utility ; we are not 

 Medes and Persians. And above all it is essential that the 

 governors should sympathise with the governed." Whilst re- 

 ferring to the office of Steward, it is due that I should record my 

 sense of the good service rendered by the Assistant-Steward, 

 Mr. Elphick. 



The prize system hinges on the due selection of judges ; and 

 the secret of being able to obtain judges depends on the fact 

 " that the labour we delight in physics pain." That we may not 

 overstrain this tendency to labour for love, let us consider the 

 duties, qualifications, and treatment of our implement judges. 

 Nothing is more sensitive than credit, and the judge's decision 

 immediately affects credit. The number of judges is limited; 

 there is often undue hurry ; sometimes a five minutes' run where 

 an hour is required. In short, judges are often unduly worked, 

 and unduly blamed. A judge should be a man of experience, 

 of a fine temper ; he should not only avoid haste, but the appear- 

 ance of haste. As Lord Bacon says, patience and gravity of 

 bearing is an essential part of justice. The general public know 

 little of the laborious and intricate trials. Forethought and 

 further division of labour is the solution of many of our diffi- 

 culties. We must at once subdivide the Miscellaneous Depart- 

 ment, which, indeed, requires of its judges far-seeing and also 

 microscopic eyes. How far do we by our treatment encourage 

 these essential and scarce officers ? The answer to this question 

 is not satisfactory; there is undoubtedly a feeling akin to discon- 

 tent. On the part of the Society there is a want of sufficient 

 consideration ; beyond a bed the judges have little to be thankful 

 for. Such things as these that follow are not duly considered : — 

 An over-crowded town ; visitors considered fair game ; lodgings 



* I should like to read a clever paper on the great American agricultural 

 gatherings. 



