Lucerne Implements. 



The Cultivator Trial. 



~1 UCERNE cultivation has produced a call for new implements, 

 ^ } and as "queek" grass especially proved a troublesome weed, 

 Mr. H. J. Collett offered a 20 prize at the 1907 Show of the 

 Cradock Agricultural Society for an implement that would remove 

 it, the prize to be awarded after practical field trials conducted by 

 a special Committee assisted by Mr. Lawford, C.E., as expert 

 adviser. On the occasion of the trials the farmers present felt that 

 while the trial of competing implements had been very useful, 

 there existed a need for something better that had yet been 

 tried, and four enthusiastic lucerne growers soon guaranteed a 

 100 prize for the best implement produced at the 1908 Show. 



The prize of 100 was accordingly offered by the Cradock 

 Agricultural Society in 1907 for the best lucerne cultivator, the field 

 trial to take place in 1908. On Monday, March 2nd, 1908, there 

 was a big gathering of farmers from all parts of the Colony at Mr. 

 Hilton Barber's farm, Halesowen, to witness the contest. Eleven 

 implements were entered. The lands were not in a good condition 

 for the trial, being dry and tramped hard by the birds during 

 the drought, but upon the day's work the honours fell to Mr. 

 Llewellyn Roberts (a practical farmer who has also invented a 

 patent gate and fencing machine), with an implement consisting of 

 two gangs of spiked rollers following each other, and in turn 

 followed by a spring tDoth harrow attachment, which can be put in 

 and out of action at pleasure. This harrow is fitted with teeth 

 specially designed not to cut the lucerne roots, and it is claimed 

 that on ordinary ground it will give a perfect tilth 6 to 8 inches 

 deep. 



In their report the Judges say : 



The following implements took part in the trials : 



Messrs. Dunn & Co.'s " Sandow " ; Mr. A. L Grobbelaar's new spiked roller 

 Messrs. Howard Parrar, Robinson & Co.'s disc Cultivator with spikes attached, 

 and " Champion " Cultivator No. 7 ; Messrs. Malcomess & Co.'s " Martin " Cul- 

 tivator, No. 1, and the same firm's special double action cutaway disc ; Messrs. 

 Philip Bros.' " Sandow "; Mr. L J. Roberts' new patent double rotary digger 

 -vrith harrow attached ; Messrs. M. 11. Steytler's " Osborne," smooth disc ; Mr. W. 

 Thomas's " Martin/' with seven tynes, and the same make with nine tynes. 



