1922.] The Shbawardinb Tractor Trials, 1921. 



981 



organised by the Ministry. Like the rest of the world, demon- 

 strators learn by experience : and it may not be unnecessary to 

 remind spectators, who may not have been impressed by the 

 first exhibition of work, that the fault does not always lie with 

 the implement. 



The Ransomes Stubble Breaker and the A.B.C. Skim Plough 

 are both designed to do work similar to the old Kent broadshare. 

 The introduction of these implements is an indication that the 

 tractor can be used to do work for which horses are unsuited : 

 for there is little doubt that in many parts of the country the 

 broadshare went out of use because, although a valuable imple- 

 ment for cleaning, it imposed too heavy a strain upon horses. 

 Of the cultivators and harrows little need be said : generally they 

 registered the advance which has been made in design and manu- 

 facture for tractor work of implements based upon horse-drawn 

 models. The three types of Revolt excavator also mark the wide 

 range of mechanical operations which the tractor has rendered 

 possible. Since a fuller report on this type of implement is 

 shortly to be expected from the Ministry, there is no need to 

 dwell at length upon the performance at Shrawardine. 



Conclusions.— The opinion expressed on previous occasions 

 that the conditions under which trials are conducted do not give 

 sufficient time or opportunity for adequate testing was confirmed 

 by the 1921 trials. This is perhaps even more apparent with 

 implements than with tractors. Sustained tests, which will 

 extend to laboratory work on materials and soil samples, which 

 will embrace durability and will on occasion be continued as far 

 as the resultant crop, are not suitable as the basis for public 

 demonstration. Of the value of trials such as these, however, 

 primarily from the commercial and educative standpoint, the 

 present writers are strongly convinced. Tt was gratifying, there- 

 fore, to see reappear a most interesting and well arranged 

 exhibit of machinery and accessories. There can be no doubt 

 that the combination of show-stand and demonstration is the 

 most satisfactory, indeed the only satisfactory, way in which the 

 manufacturer can exhibit his products to the farmer. 



