550 
Implement Show at Manchester. 
machine must be equal to the heaviest work, and the working parts must be 
60 constructed that the tendency to clog from the grass settling on the machine 
and winding round the spindle is reduced to the minimum. For the first 
time, we find two of the machines with the fork spindle placed in a direct line 
between, and not behind, the wheels ; there is in this arrangement an element 
of strength, and an opportunity for simple adjustments commending our 
approbation ; also a greater ability to act across ridge and furrow, inasmuch as 
the wheel and the forks pass the lowest ground at the same moment. It may 
be urged that whatever advantage is thus gained will be met and counter- 
balanced by the wheels holding the grass, especially in long crops, and pre- 
venting the forks nearest to the wheels taking up the grass : to a certain 
extent this may be so, especially when the haymaker is employed in the same 
direction as the mower ; but practically the effect is nothing like so apparent 
as would be imagined, probably because the nearest tynes are from 9 to 10 
inches from the wheel. After a very careful observation we are decidedly of 
opinion that this is not a material disadvantage of sufficient importance to 
weigh against the solid advantages attained by the direct spindle ; and we 
anticipate that ere long this arrangement will be more general than the older 
plan. The crank spindle is not so strong, and is liable to become strained from 
the teeth coming in contact witli the ground, to which they would have been 
less liable if working from a direct central axis. At the Society's Plymouth 
Meeting, when similar machines were last tested, the Judges awarded the 
prizes to the smaller and cheaper haymakers, as being suitable to small occu- 
pations ; we did not endorse this view, for two reasons ; first, because we 
thought it very important to have a strong machine capable of dealing with 
the heaviest crops, which the lower-j^riced implements are unequal to; and 
secondly, because the larger machines, covering from 6 to 9 inches more sur- 
face, are in reality the most economical ; as more work can be performed, which 
pays well for the extra cost. In giving the prizes to the larger and more 
costly machines we do not disparage or condemn the cheaper. 
Ten machines were entered for competition, we carefully examined each as 
to its construction and strength : then gave it a run in both directions, and so 
reduced the list to those shown by Messrs. Howard, Mr. Nicholson, and Messrs. 
Ilansomes and Co. A short description of the various machines as they came 
before us may be deemed interesting. 
Mellard, Southwell, and Co., Rugely, showed a tolerably well-made machine 
which closely resembled in its arrangements Howard's original. The plan of 
lowering the fork-spindle by shifting a pin in the front frame was neitlier 
ijimple nor likely to keep long in order. The speed of the back action was con- 
siderably reduced by the teeth of the difi'erent revolutions being as 12 to 17. 
The grass was not picked up jn'operly, and in turning at the ends the machine 
clogged. 
Mr. W. H. Nicholson, Newark, exhibited 2 machines. They are, as will be 
seen, very similar in construction. The smaller one, price 13/., has 3 speeds, 2 
^backwards and 1 for tedding. The arrangements for throwing in and out of 
gear are very simple. In the larger machine, price 16?., a second speed for the 
tedding or lorward motion is secured by a simple addition of gearing. The 
centre of each travelling wheel is fitted with an ordinary spur w-heel and an 
internally geared wheel, the difference in the diameters of the two being repre- 
sented at the pitch line by 12""25 for the spur wheel, and 19""25 for the 
internal wheel. The motive power is transmitted from either to the fork 
liarrel by means of a flying pinion, the distance between the 2 wheels being 
somewhat greater than the thickness of the flyer, so that when slid between 
the two, the fork barrel is out of gearing ; for work, the flying pinion is slid in 
the main axle into either set of gear according as a forward or backward 
motion is desired, and is held in its place by a simple catch. When it is 
desired to use diflerent speeds from those obtained as above, a carrier pinion is 
