1920.] 



Tractor Trials in 1920. 



to plough under " unfavourable " or " adverse " weather 

 conditions, as the Judges express it in various places. In the 

 past the farmer has had frequently to work when he would, 

 if he could have chosen, have deferred doing so until soil con- 

 ditions were suitable, and it may be suggested that the one great 

 contribution that the tractor will make to farming will be to 

 enable the farmer to take advantage of the " favourable " 

 weather. The proposal that has already been made that 

 implements should be adapted or remodelled to meet the 

 increased speed which may be expected from tractors in the 

 future has much bearing upon this point. 



In their comments upon the ploughs used, the Judges several 

 times refer to ploughs being driven too fast. Does not this 

 really mean that the plough will turn a suitable furrow at a 

 certain speed, but that above this speed some defect discloses 

 itself ? This is exactly the information that is required, and 

 the hope may be expressed that any future report will contain 

 a statement of the critical speed and the precise defects which 

 develop beyond this point, and, if possible, the reasons, With 

 such knowledge progress in the design of tractor ploughs — and, 

 indeed, of all other tractor implements — would be accelerated. 



In conclusion, it is proper to say that the Report is admirably 

 produced, and that whatever deficiencies there may be, these 

 are not numerous for a new venture. Upon the basis of the 

 first Report it will be a comparatively easy task to produce, 

 after future trials. Reports giving complete data relating to 

 both tractors and implements, having regard throughout to 

 the limited period covered by trials of this nature. 



Ax arrangement has been reached whereby the Society of 

 Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Ltd., will join the Royal 

 Tractor Trials Agricultural Society in carrying out tractor 

 in 1920 trials in the autumn of the present year. 



At first it was feared that there would be 

 two separate trials, which would have entailed inevitably much 

 waste of time, money and work. The value of the trials to 

 those who are using or propose to use tractors will undoubtedly 

 be enhanced by the union of two such powerful bodies as the 

 R.A.S.E. and \he S.M.M. & T. One of the chief benefits of 

 this united exhibition will be that the farmer will have an 

 opportunity of seeing every machine at work and making 

 comparisons on the spot between the various performances. 

 It was found when the two Societies met to discuss united 



