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machine, and the share is run under the ridges, which 

 raises and loosens them, rendering the working out 

 by the hand-fork a very easy operation. As the land 

 lies in a very light condition, there is no need to stick 

 the fork into the ridges, but merely to shove it through 

 them from side to side. This prevents injury by 

 pricking, and effects a saving, because no tubers are 

 damaged. The land is thoroughly worked, cleaned, 

 and prepared for the subsequent crop. It is some- 

 what expensive, but the thoroughness of the work 

 counterbalances this, especially where it is desired to 

 take a catch crop afterwards. 



Rotating blades, or turners, in the place of forks, 

 have been introduced lately. With these the ridges 

 are spread, and the potatoes brought to the surface by 

 a scooping or shovelling action. The turners are not 

 set directly at right angles to the ridges, but strike 

 them flatly, thus avoiding much of the injury which 

 would otherwise be caused to the tubers. The most 

 recent development in these machines is that intro- 

 duced by Messrs. Haslam and Maudesley. In this the 

 revolving forks are entirely dispensed with. Two 

 shares are made to run under the ridges, one on either 

 side, and these lift the ridge, earth, and potatoes 

 together, so that it falls into a long, conical cylinder, 

 which is made to revolve by a gearing from the 

 travelling wheels. The cylinder has a cage-like ap- 

 pearance, as narrow bars, placed at intervals, to allow 

 the particles of earth to fall through, but sufficiently 

 close to retain the potatoes, encircle a light frame. 



