332 Report on the Exhibition and Trial of Implements 



to them by adopting the centrifugal feeder in the way it is frequently applied 

 to corn-mills. 



The tile-machines could be better compared at the next Meeting should the 

 Society deem it right to define the diameter of the die that shall be used in 

 the experiment. Perhaps a 2 inch pipe will be the best size that can be fixed 

 upon ; such a regulation need not hinder the exhibitors from having other dies 

 with them for showing the capabilities of their machines. The prize machine 

 of Scraggs required only the fair power of one man to work it ; hence, had 

 the exhibitors, whose machines worked easily, enlarged their " boxes " to such 

 an extent as to have taken the power that could be fairly exerted by one man, 

 the produce in work would have been greater and would have put them in a 

 better position. 



Before concluding these remarks it is necessary to notice that important im- 

 plement, the reaping-machine, respecting which much has been written and 

 said during the past season ; indeed it appears that the public are still unde- 

 cided as to which of the rival principles (M'Cormick v. Hussey) should bear 

 off the palm of superiority, which has even puzzled Judges of Implements on 

 many occasions. 



The cause of this indecision arises from the capability of the machine made 

 on M'Cormick's principle to cut corn in a green or wet state with facility, 

 while most machines made after Hussey's will cut corn only in a dry state : 

 hence the awarding of the prize has more generally been the result of the state 

 of the weather and crop at the time of experiment than of the intrinsic merit 

 of the machines exhibited. 



Garrett's prize reaping-machine at Lewes had an improvement in the form 

 of knife, and, the day of trial being hot and dry, the machine performed very 

 well. 



The principle adopted by Garrett and Son in the form of their knives is a 

 decided improvement upon the knives in the machine exhibited at the Great 

 Exhibition, and may probably be carried still further; as for instance, sup- 

 posing that two knives were used in one machine, both the top and bottom 

 ones being made very much thicker than those hitherto used, and bevelled off 

 (like Garrett's) considerably, having their true and flat sides working upon the 

 face of each other, the upper knife only moving, the staple-like projections 

 through which the present knives work may be dispensed with, and the im- 

 proved knives would cut corn or grasses readily whether they be wet and 

 green, or dry and ripe: the lower knives being made so much stronger than 

 usual would remove most obstacles from the path of the machines. The im- 

 plement-makers will consider the hints here given, and may possibly turn them 

 to their advantage and to the benefit of the farmer. 



C. E. Amos. 



APPENDIX TO IMPLEMENT REPORT. 

 A. 



Report made to the Heads of the Royal Agrieultural College, by the Gentle- 

 men who were requested to examine the working of tlie rival Reaping 

 Machines during tlie late trial, 



Mr. Curtis Hayward, whose name appears first on the list, is the Chairman 

 of the Court of Quarter Sessions for the county, and a gentleman of great 

 agricultural experience from the neighbourhood of Gloucester. The other 

 five are large tenant farmers near this town, and all well known as eminent 

 practical men, of great experience and sound judgment, and well calculated to 

 form an opinion and decide on the merits of the competing machines. 



