Report of Implements shoicn at LiverjyooL 



cxiii 



its cutting edge always to the land-side. The exquisite workmanship 

 of this plough, and of several other implements exhibited by Mr. Wilkie, 

 excited universal admiration. 



Mr. Huckvale of Over-Norton, Oxon, showed a plough of this de- 

 scription, the chief novelty of which consisted in its having a double 

 share, or a share formed like the letter L, each face of which acted 

 alternately as share and coulter. The spindle by which it was reversed 

 adjusted the mould-boards. 



The subsoil-plough has become for certain soils an indispensable in- 

 strument ; and it was gratifying to observe that many of the principal 

 machine-makers had turned their attention to its adaptation for the 

 various uses to which it is applicable. A great variety Avas exhibited 

 both with and without a wheel, including the one originally made by 

 Mr. Smith of Deanston. The prize of 10/. was awarded to Mr. Wilkie 

 for one furnished with a leading- wheel, uniting great strength with 

 lightness, and w^hich proved on trial to be easily managed, and to main- 

 tain a very uniform depth below the surface. To diminish the force of 

 draught by increasing the steadiness of action of this important imple- 

 ment, is yet a desideratum to which it is hoped the continued efforts of 

 mechanics wdll be directed. 



The turf and stubble-paring plough, invented by Mr. Thomas Glover 

 of Thrussington, Leicestershire, is a new implement of great value. 

 The Judges highly commended the construction and working of this 

 plough. The surface is pared with great precision and despatch, leav- 

 ing the turf in a curl or roll, the grass side inwards, a position in 

 which it is sooner dried, and rendered fit for burning, without the ne- 

 cessity of turning it over, as is generally required when cut by the 

 breast-spade. 



In conformity with the arrangements made by the Council, the Judges 

 submitted to trial the qualities of many of the ploughs designed for the 

 general purposes of the farm, with the view of guiding their judgment 

 in the award of prizes. These trials were made on the race-course at 

 Aintree, the surface consisting of old sward upon a light loam, and sandy 

 subsoil. After the implements had been at work for some time, so that 

 each competitor might have the opportunity of getting his plough into 

 working trim, the judges proceeded to test each with the dynamometer, 

 in order to fulfil, as nearly as they could, the condition annexed to the 

 prizes, viz., that "lightness of draught will be considered as well as 

 quality of work performed." For this purpose, and in order to insure 

 as nearly as possible an equality of circumstances, each plough was set 

 to cut the furrow-slice, as nearly as it was practicable, 5 inches deep, 

 11 inches in breadth, and leaving an open furrow of about 11 inches. 

 The dynamometer (constructed by Messrs, Cottam and Hallen of 

 London) was then applied, and the resistance noted at the time when 

 the plough in every case appeared to be working in similar soil, and 

 doing its best. The results of these experiments are arranged in the 

 following table : — 



