72 Report on the Exhibition of Implements at Bristol. 
probably might have felt more satisfaction if a less dangerous 
material than wire had been used for tying. 
It may possibly have been noticed that the Stewards lately 
have insisted upon increased carefulness in the disposal of the 
Society's silver medals for new implements, and that a much 
fewer number are given away than formerly. This action has 
been considered quite necessary ; and although complaints are 
frequently made on that score, it must be admitted that if the 
Society's practical Judges, with the assistance of so able a staff 
of engineers, were to patronise with our medal an article which, 
however alluring this year, might next year prove worse than 
useless, the intention of the Society would be frustrated. 
It may be thought that, after so long a term of office, some 
suggestions might be made as to the future, but I will only make 
two or three. Now that so many agricultural implements are 
struck off the list for future trials, it would be advisable to give 
any new selected machines which might be thought eligible for a 
medal, a more lengthened and thorough trial at a suitable season 
of the year than can be done in the week of the Exhibition, 
before their merits are endorsed with the Society's approval ; 
and by this means a much greater value would be attached to the 
Society's silver medals than at present. I may add, that the 
Stewards have recommended that a perfected new machine, 
exhibited for the first time, may be eligible for a medal, although 
the same machine, in an uncompleted form, may have been 
exhibited at a previous show. It appears necessary that 
there should be better arrangement in the Showground for the 
exhibition of machinery in motion, as there seems to be an 
increasing desire for such on the part of the manufacturer. The 
general complaint is, that the Showyard is too large. To meet 
this, there might be a much closer weeding out of those articles 
not of a purely agricultural character from amongst those that 
are so, and, if the former are admitted at all, they should be 
placed in a part of the ground to be set apart for the purpose. 
The time also appears to have arrived when a classification 
of many of the most important agricultural implements and 
machinery might be made. Visitors would thus be better -able 
to find the particular class they wished to see, and there would 
also be a better opportunity for comparison. 1 would also wish 
to seethe Society's regulation as regards duplicates most strictly 
enforced. 
With these few remarks I make my bow, believing that there 
is a larger legacy of increasing exertion left to my successors 
than I inherited four years ago. 
