at the Plymouth Meeting. 383 



lever. This backward action requires that the teeth shoukl be 

 some 1^ inch nearer the ground ; and this is effected by the 

 back eccentric movement, which at once drops the fork barrels 

 to the increased distance required. The axle in these machines 

 is a solid bar of steel, which is found to be strong, and not liable 

 to bend. In the 1st Prize Machine the gearing can be cleaned 

 without removing the wheels ; two split pins being taken out, 

 each fork barrel can be made to slide forv/ard. The form of the 

 tines is good. The forward action effects a complete separation 

 of the grass, and the back action leaves the crop light and loose. 

 We believe the merits of these two machines were pretty equal. 

 The Judges approved of the smaller and cheaper one as more 

 generally useful. 



Boby's Machine, to which the 3rd Prize was awarded, is a 

 very useful implement, strong in make, of simple construction, 

 and at a reasonable price. No experiments were made as to the 

 comparative draught of these machines. 



The entry of Horse-rakes was large ; but Messrs. Howards' 

 were so manifestly superior, that the decision as to the 1st Prize 

 was a very simple business. This rake has been considerably 

 improved since Leeds, The central axle of solid steel, which 

 carries the wheels, and affords attachment to the shafts, also acts 

 as a fulcrum, on which the teeth, when raised, are balanced : in 

 fact the front part becomes a counterbalance as soon as the act of 

 raising commences, the pointed ends of the teeth become per- 

 pendicular, and thus empty easier and more rapidly than if the 

 fulcrum were not changed. By a simple arrangement of the 

 patent leverage, the teeth when in work are raised above the cen- 

 tral axle, and can thus adapt themselves to irregularities of 

 surface ; at the same time the front part of the rake, on which 

 the teeth are suspended, is held in position by a self-acting move- 

 ment of the lever. This is an ingenious and novel arrangement. 

 The teeth are curved, or sickle-formed, made of steel and tapered, 

 and combine strength and lightness. The second prize goes to 

 the same locality, being awarded to Messrs. Page, for a strong, 

 useful rake. The leverage is easy. The teeth are of oval steel, 

 and very strong. 



Several implements were exhibited with a seat for the driver ; 

 but as the draught appeared to be sensibly increased, and the 

 man cannot empty a heavy crop nearly so well, it does not 

 appear that this arrangement is satisfactory. 



The Judges^ Report on Mowing and Reaping Ifachines. 



Wo commenced our dntios on Wednesday, July 12tli, liy selecting from the 

 tli(Tevent stands in tlie fShow-yard such macliiuos as tlie exhibitors had cntercil 

 YOL, I,— s, s. 2 c 



