The Agricultural Features of the Paris Exhibition. 277 
considerably less money, and therefore suit the pockets of the 
farmers, although probably less economical in the long run than 
better made machines." The display of the small farm imple- 
ments was very large and varied ; but among these we observed 
nothing of special interest to English agriculturists. Some well- 
constructed steam engines were exhibited, as also were a large 
number of reaping machines, the majority of the latter being 
made either upon the English or the American type. Modifica- 
tions of Wood's reapers and mowers, with ingenious mechanism 
for altering the action of the rakes, seemed deservedly high in 
public estimation. A leading feature in the department was 
the display of threshing machines, many of which showed 
admirable arrangement and construction, and included most of 
the modern improvements known in England. In most cases 
the feeder stands on a footboard by the side of the machine, and 
thus supplies the grain in a direction nearly parallel with the 
drum. As a rule, these machines are adapted for horses as the 
motive-power ; but on the stand of M. J. Gumming, of Orleans, 
Loiret, we observed a neat combination of an engine and thresh- 
ing machine. The engine stands behind, on the frame above 
the axle, and is thus placed near to the work ; an arrangement 
which, it is claimed, economises power and prevents any waste 
of time in fixing the machinery. Horse-gears are extensively 
employed in France, and formed a prominent feature in their de- 
partment. Their construction differs greatly from English horse- 
gears — " the motion of the horses is transmitted to a vertical 
shaft, which is enclosed in a column ; on the lower end of the 
shaft is a pinion, which engages with the second motion shaft, 
namely, a multiplying wheel, and on its upper end is a pulley 
wheel ; or, if that position is objected to, then a broad wheel on 
the shaft engages a bevel pinion on a short horizontal shaft, on 
the other side of which the pulley is attached." Several hay, 
fruit, and other presses attracted deserved attention ; as also did 
a machine for improving grass-land by opening its surface, 
shown by MM. Albarie and Co., of Laincourt, Oise. Some 
French firms have achieved creditable success in the manufac- 
ture of corn-screens, of which there were a large and varied 
assortment. Most of them exhibited good workmanship and 
efficiency, and were offered at from 30 to 40 per cent, less money 
than the cheapest screens forwarded by English makers. 
Other Countries. — The collection from Russia, small as it 
was, showed that the agriculture of that vast and varied country 
has made considerable progress during recent years ; and it as 
clearly demonstrated that Russian farmers are still to a large 
extent dependent on foreign countries for agricultural machinery. 
It is stated that there are now 205 agricultural implement 
