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XXI. — General Report on the Implement Show at Bury St. 

 Edmunds. By JoilN CoLEMAN. 



Nearly 5000 entries, occupying 282 stands, filling up, not 

 merely the ordinarily allotted area, but streaming far over the 

 space originally intended for the cattle classes, makes up an 

 exhibit without parallel in the annals of the Royal Agricultural 

 Society. This was, indeed, an attractive feature of the Show, 

 and we cannot but hope that the results of the trials so 

 patiently conducted, and a careful inspection of the long 

 array of machinery of every kind here collected together will 

 convey lessons, the fruits of which may be seen another day. We 

 anticipated a great show, well knowing the enterprise of our 

 leading firms, so many of whom are located eastwards. Before 

 we enter into details, it may be desirable to mention that the 

 Show-yard, enclosing some 42 acres, was well chosen, situated on 

 the outskirts of the town, easily reached from the farthest points, 

 approached by a broad drive, the visitor was set down before a neat 

 and sensible-looking erection, comprising the Alpha and Omega 

 (entrance and exit). Secretary's quarters, Post-office, &c. This 

 building, which cost some 700/., was so framed that it all takes 

 to pieces, packs up easily, and, as soon as done with, goes into 

 warehouse at Leicester, till required next year. The Show- 

 yard, an irregulai'-shaped enclosure, partly composed of old turi 

 and partly new-made grass, was on gently rising ground, the 

 machinery in motion occupying great part of two sides, and 

 making an extraordinary show. The railway accommodation 

 was most inadequate, notwithstanding the erection of a siding 

 in the yard, where machines and stock were at once delivered, 

 provided they surmounted the previous difficulties. Great 

 delays occurred both in bringing and removing the goods. The 

 passenger trains Avere also much behind time, and had there been 

 the rush of either Leeds or Chester, the results would have been 

 lamentable ; but all acquainted with the present state of the Great 

 Eastern Railway were prepared to hear complaints, and really on 

 the whole the Society may be congratulated on having got 

 through a difficulty so well. The small accommodation afforded 

 by the town, charming as it is in all other respects, the very 

 insignificant quota of visitors it could itself furnish, led one to 

 anticipate small results, even if the Show had been complete. The 

 absence of horned stock made it a clear case from the first ; the 

 extent of the deficiency depending upon the weather, but under the 

 most favourable circumstances a financial loss was inevitable. 

 This, however, is of minor importance, provided the objects for 

 which the Society has Avorked for a quarter of a century are 



