404 General Report on the Exhibition of Implements 



The last medal in this Class was awarded to Messrs. Holmes and Son, for 

 article 2268, described as a Eotary Harrow or Twitch Extirpator, invented by 

 T, Everett of Stoley, improved and niannfacturcd by the exhibitors. Perhaps 

 neither this nor the churn came within the strict letter of our instruc- 

 tions ; but as we saw the implement at work, and were greatly pleased with 

 its performances, and as the whole body of our colleagues expressed a 

 strong opinion in its favour, we could not pass it over imnoticed. Its con- 

 struction and gearing are very similar to that of a haymaker, only it covers 

 much less ground, and is more strongly made. It consists of .a [series 

 of rings, on the circumference of which are attached, at rather close intervals, 

 strong cross-bars of iron carrying 3 tines about G inches long ; the teeth, 

 slight!}' curved forwards, resemble the tines of a dung-fork. The bite of 

 the wheel is ensured by fixing a number of sharp points which project 

 about ,4 inches from the tire, these are easily removed when the machine 

 is required to travel on the road. It is adapted to i)ass over the surface 

 of liglit land after the plough and drag, in order thoroughly to comminute 

 the surface and bring up the disturbed couch without breaking it. It works 

 with a back action, and leaves the weeds on the toii and thoroughly separated 

 from the soil. The forks being driven fast the soil is completely dis- 

 turbed. It is not adapted to stony or stiff soils, as the tines would bend, 

 and we could not secure that open condition that would allow of comjilete 

 pulverisation at one operation, and the couchgrass would be broken. This 

 machine was easily worked by 2 horses. Trice 10/. AVc commend it to the 

 consideration of light-land farmers who are bothered with running weeds. 



The Earth Closet Apparatus, price 1/. 5,s. invented and manufactured by 

 AVhite and Co., of 29, Bedford Street, Strand, London, being the working parts 

 of a closet (on Moule's system of deodorising and utilising excrementitious 

 matter by means of dry earth), adapted for labourers and others living in the 

 country, we considered a valuable novelty deserving of a high commendation. 

 The working parts of a closet being obtained, a country carpenter can fit it up 

 at the same cost as an ordinary privj-. The seat is made self-acting, pressure 

 causes a suflicient quantity of mould or ashes to be let. down from the store 

 into the first receptacle, and when that pressure is removed the same is dis- 

 charged, covering up the fa?ces and preventing smell or loss of any kind. The 

 box may be emptied once a week. It is urged by some that cottagers are so 

 dirty in their habits that they would not take the necessary trouble to supply 

 the earth and remove the soil ; but self-interest will dictate the advantage of 

 looking after such valuable manure, and a little oversight c^ the part of the 

 landlord is all that is necessary. In a sanatory point of view this is a most 

 important question. 



Futent tStecl Cranlc Shield, invented by Messrs. Ashby and Jeffery, we 

 commended as likely to prove serviceable for encasing weak or worn cranks. 

 They are case hardened and durable. Price 12s. Gd. to Ifis. each. 



Commendations were awarded to George P. Dodge for India-rubber Vul- 

 canised Driving-bands, and to Welb and Sons for Leather Machine-bands. 



"We must not omit to notice a noveltj' exhibited by Messrs. Garrett and 

 Son, and described as a ]\Iachine for Bruising and reducing AVhcat and other 

 Straw to fodder. The object being to crush and smash all the shell knots 

 and entire straw of both cereal and leguminous crops. The straw is fed in to 

 a drum, and carried round between the surface of the drum and iron projec- 

 tions which come close down, and in passing the smashing takes place at a 

 great expenditure of power. Any invention that has for its object the more 

 complete preparation of straw, is at any rate interesting. Our restrictions 

 prevent us from doing more than thus briefly alluding to this machine. 



We append a tabular Hst of articles, to which avc awarded Medals and 

 Commendations. 



