248 The Trials of Potato Diggers and Potato Sorters. 



tations from it. All the other machines must go round a plot, 

 but this one was supposed to open out its own work. Alas ! it 

 could not proceed manj'^ yards, being blocked by the tops, 

 although they were not strong. 



The Exhibitor remarked tliat all tops should be pulled, and 

 asked if we would judge the machine when he had cleared 

 a few rows ; accordingly, we agreed to inspect the wo'-k of the 

 raiser, although, of course, it was out of the competition. 



Under these conditions it made excellent work, leaving the 

 tubers undamaged, in a nice narrow space, the width of the 

 row, and most handy to gather, better than any other machine, 

 but it could not move when the tops were there. 



Growers could not find labour at such a busy time to clear 

 away the tops ; moreover, a few tubers would get exposed, and 

 in frosty weather destroyed. 



The Feu soil of the trial field was so dry and friable that 

 it might have been made especially to provide an easy passage 

 for the raisers during the competitions. 



The Judges, who, it will be noted, live at great distances 

 apart, and farm vei-y diverse land, were all, I believe, wishful 

 that there had been a little strong or heavy stony land on 

 which they could have tried the best machines. It does not 

 follow that the results would have been different. 



Some of the competitors seemed to wish their mechanic 

 to accompany their raisers to adjust or advise en route, but 

 ample opportunity had been given for trials beforehand. On 

 a farm the driver alone has to do the work, so at Little worth, 

 when an extra man was sent, the fact was noted. 



Class II. — Potato Sorters. 

 First Prize, 101. Second Prize, 51. 



LIST OF ENTRIES. 

 COOCH k. Son, Commercial Street, Northampton. 

 15. — Potato Sorter, No. 4, 51. 10s., with sorting platform for removing 

 blight, 71. lO.f. 



16. — Potato Sorter, No. r>, 71. 5s., with sorting platform, 91. lOs. 



J. B. Edlington & Co., Ltd., Phoenix Iron Works, Gainsborough. 

 17. — Potato Sorter, 71. 15.s\ 



Geokge H. Lawson, Murrow, Wisbech. 

 18.— Potato Sorter, 21. 5s. 



Walter Ness, King's Kettle, Fife. 

 19. — "The Eclipse" Potato Sorter, sorts into three sizes at one operation 

 and delivers into bags, 14/. 



David Wilson, East Linton, Prestonkirk. 

 20. — Potato Sorter, mounted on wheels, and makes three separations, lOZ. 10*. 



