122 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. 



[lo P'eb.. 1 91 2. 



weeds and haulm. The work done was very satisfactory — a trial with the 

 fork proved that the crop lifted clean without bruising or damage. 



A second trial was held at Mr. Crowe's farm at Crossley, in a light 

 friable soil very suitable for machine digging. The crop here was very 

 light, and the field free from weeds. The trial was witnessed by a 



large number of local growers. 

 whO' expressed themselves 

 well pleased with the work. 



A further trial was held at 

 Messrs. Callaghan Bros. 

 farm at Wollaston, near 

 ^^'arrnambool. This trial 

 was under more difficult con- 

 ditions. The soil was rather 

 lumpy, and there was also a 

 fairly heavy growth of talf 

 weeds and green potato tops. 

 The crop was an average one 

 containing a high percentage 

 of large tubers. These con- 

 ditions gave the machine a 

 se\ere test on the most vital 

 points, viz., cleanness of digging, .small amount of damage tO' crop, ability 

 to handle weeds and green plants- and level condition of land after the 

 machine. 



A careful examination of the bottom of the drill after the machine 

 showed that fewer potatoes, were left in the ground than by ordinar\- fork 

 digging. Three drills, each about seven chains long, were carefully 

 examined, and only 21 tubers cut by the share could be found. Two 



ransome's rotary potato digger. 



HOOVER POTATO DIGGER. 



bags were turned out and examined carefully for potatoes damaged by 

 the forks, but none were fonnd. The result of these trials must be con- 

 sidered very satisfactory, and proves that this machine is a great improve- 

 ment on any yet tried in this State. The leading growers at these trials 

 expressed themselves highly pleased with the way the crops were handled 

 under different conditions of soil and crop. 



