758 
Report on the Exhibition of Implements, 
precision both wheat and barley, standing and partially lodged ; and in cutting 
through weeds and grass showed no tendency to choke. The delivery is 
peculiar to this machine, and is the principal and most important improve- 
ment since last year. The corn on being cut falls on a series of rollers 
fitted with Archimedian screws, by which it is delivered in a continuous 
and well-formed swathe at the side of the machine ; and it was proved to be 
capable of cutting wheat and barley with no other attendance than a boy 
strong enough to drive a pair of horses. The draught also was much lighter 
than any other machine, and the horses were not required to travel faster, 
or exert greater power, than would be necessary in ploughing land of medium 
strength. 
The really marvellous progress in this class of machinery in 
so short a time was seen by a comparison of those early inven- 
tions and the latest improvements of the Grantham firm, and 
more especially by McCormick's sheaf -binding machine, which 
proved so successful at Bristol in 1878. Much credit is due 
to Messrs. Burgess and Key for their early efforts to improve 
self-delivery reapers. Hornsby's and Wood's original mowers, 
and Bamlett's machines, completed this interesting section. 
The collection of ancient ploughs was very instructive ; one, 
shown by Messrs. Perry and Barrett, of Reading, dates back to 
the beginning of the century ; and all the great improvements 
could be seen. As far back as 1834 Messrs. Ransomes, Sims, and 
Head invented a double-furrow plough ; and Messrs. Howard's 
two-wheel iron plough of 1840 is the type of all the later im- 
provements. Messrs. Ransomes, Sims, and Head contributed 
an Egyptian and a Javan plough of very ancient types, and a 
Crimean three-furrow plough — the latter of much merit. The 
First Lord of the Admiralty and Sir Massey Lopes added much 
to the interest of the Show by the illustrations of Cyprus agri- 
culture, from which I am led to hope that one advantage result- 
ing from our occupation will be some improvement in farming 
practices, which are extremely primitive. Thus, for example, 
what is described by the rather comprehensive title of a com- 
bined threshing and chaff-cutting machine, consists of a board, 
the under-surface of which is studded with sharp flint projec- 
tions. The corn being placed on a floor, this is drawn backwards 
and forwards by oxen. The driver, dancing on the board, urges 
on the beasts, and aids the flint-cutters to accomplish their 
work. A cart, innocent of iron, and of the flimsiest build, as 
well as a plough, were great curiosities. It is said that the latter 
indicates the embryo Kentish turnwrest plough, which it is 
supposed was introduced into this island by the Romans, and 
which, by the way, is still preferred for certain descriptions of 
land to any of the more modern improvements. 
The stages of invention leading up to our present win- 
nowing-machinery were well seen — first in a very ancient fan 
