320 Report on the Exhibition and Trial of Implements 



In concluding our Report we beg leave to suggest, as a condition to be 

 observed in future trials, that steam-engines should not be considered qualified 

 to compete for the prize unless they are constructed precisely as intended^ for 

 sale. We have reason to believe that engines entered for trial are provided 

 with special arrangements which the makers themselves regard as objection- 

 able, and would dispense with in supplying their customers. 



We would further desire to bring before your notice our view of the im- 

 portance, in regard to safety, of a proper construction and staying of the boilers 

 of the portable engines. In many of the boilers examined we found that this 

 point had not received due consideration from the makers. We would espe- 

 cially recommend that every fire-box top should be furnished with roof-stays, 

 that such stays should have a good bearing at their ends on the walls of the 

 fire-box, and that the boiler ends should be secured by suitable longitudinal 



stays. 

 In many instances the form of the fire-box sides might be improved. 

 We would recommend that no manufacturer should be allowed to get steam 

 up in his engine in the Society's show-yard until the boiler has been previously 

 examined by the Judges or Society's engineer, and a certificate of fitness ob- 

 tained. 



It would be desirable also to lay down a general rule limiting the pressure 

 of steam under which the boilers should be allowed to work. 



Wm. Owen. 

 Edward Woods. 

 Benjamin Fotheegill. 



Steam Ploughs or Cultivators. 



There were five competitors for the prize of 500?. offered by the Society for 

 " the Steam Cultivator that shall in the most efficient manner turn over the 

 soil, and be an economical substitute for the plough or the spade." 



C. Burrell, of Thetford, sent the patent locomotive traction engine or steam 

 horse, invented by James Boydell, of London, and manufactured by the ex- 

 hibitor. 



Wm. Crowley and Sons, of Newport Pagnell, entered a set of ploughs, in- 

 vented, improved, and manufactured by themselves, consisting of three ploughs 

 each way, connected together so as to work at one uniform depth over uneven 

 surfaces, with an apparatus for expanding or contracting them to bring them 

 on to new ground. 



Thomas Ricketts, of Buckingham, sent his patent rotary steam cultivator, 

 consisting of a 10-horse power locomotive engine with a horizontal shaft behind, 

 driven by pitch chains and revolving in radial links in the direction contrary 

 to that in which the wheels are travelling. On this shaft are placed tines, 

 spades, or cutters of other forms, which enter the soil at the bottom of the 

 furrow, cut upwards, and either break up or invert as required. 



J. and F. Howard, of Bedford, sent a set of Smith's patent apparatus for 

 cultivating land by steam power, invented by Wm, Smith, of Woolston, and 

 manufactured by themselves. This consists of an ordinary 8-horse portable 

 steam engine, with windlass, leather driving-band, wire ropes, pulleys, turning 

 bow, ploughs, and cultivators, all complete for work. 



And, lastly, J. Fowler, jun., of Cornhill, sent his steam plough, consisting 

 of an ordinary 10-horse engine, with windlass to attach and detach, and anchor, 

 with four-furrow balance plough frame, with scarifier tines to take the place of 

 the plough mouldboard. 



The trials were commenced on the 13th of July, in a field of two-year-old 

 seeds, the soil a light sandy loam, upon a subsoil of silt or sand, the land 

 having been reclaimed originally from the bed of the river Dee. The soil, 



