380 



SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part II. 



is a pair of low wheels : it is a convenient machine for moving sacks in a granary or barn 

 floor, from one point to another. 



2542. The Normandy wheel-barrow ( Jig. 252.) is said to be exceedingly useful on a 

 farm. The handles or trams {no) are nearly 

 fifteen feet in length, by which, when loaded, 

 nearly all the weight is thrown on the axle, 

 so tliat the man has almost nothing to carry, 

 and has only to push. He is thus saved 

 from being bent down while at work, and 

 consequently from acquiring a habit of stoop- 

 ing. A shoulder strap (6) is commonly used, 

 by the operator. (^Morel Vindd, and Gard. 

 Mag. vol. vi. ) 



2543. The truck (Jig. 253.) is a machine of the barrow kind for conveying compact 



heavy weights, such as stones, metals, &c. 



2544. The hand-barrow is of different 

 kinds (Jigs. 254, 255, "256.), and is in fre- 

 quent use in various departments of agricul- 

 ture, where the soil is soft, or the surface 

 uneven. Its bottom should be close and strong 

 for carrying stones ; but may be light and open for dung or corn. 



2545. The winnowing machine, originally introduced from Holland to East Lothian 

 by Mr. James Meikle of Saltoun, father to Mr. Andrew Mcikle, the inventor of the 



threshing machine (799.), is in use for cleaning corn in most of the improved 

 districts. There are different forms, but the best are those founded on the Meikle or 

 Berwickshire winnower, which, instead of 

 one screen, has a set of sieves put in 

 motion by the machine, by which means 

 the corn comes out, in most cases, ready 

 to be meted up in sacks. A highly- 

 improved form of this machine, and the 

 most perfect, we believe, at present in 

 use {Jig. 257.) is manufactured by Weir 

 and Co. of London. 



2546. The hand threshing-machine 

 {Jig, 258.) is worked by two men and 

 one woman, and is sometimes used for 

 threshing the com of a small farm, or 

 for threshing clover or other small seeds. 

 The advantage consists chiefly in the 

 completeness in which the grain is separated from the straw ; there is no saving of 

 human labour, unless the power of horses or water is applied. 



258 



2547. I'he potato cleaner is a hollow or per- 

 forated cylinder or barrel, with a wooden axle 

 through its long diameter, and a handle at one 

 end, by which it is turned like a barrel churn. 

 A hinged board forms an opening for putting in 

 and taking out the potatoes, which fastens with 

 an iron hasp and staple. It is filled 'one third 

 with potatoes or other roots, and then placed in 

 a cistern of water, by means of a crane or other- 

 wise. In this state, being two thirds immersed 

 in the water, and one third full of potatoes, it is 

 turned round a few times, when the latter are 

 found cleaned, and the barrel is lifted out by the 

 crane, emptied, filled, and replaced. 

 2548. A locomotive steam threshing-viachine, capable of propelling itself and a man, 

 has been constructed in the county of Northumberland. It is intended for the small 

 farmers, as it can be moved from one farm to another, and thus enable them to tluesh 



