Award of Medals, &,'c., at Kilbum. 
759 
comprising portions of sail-cloth hung on to a revolving frame, 
with a riddle and swing for the same. Then there was an 
improved fan worked in combination with a screen and riddle, 
which was common from 1780 to 1812, and was the pre- 
cursor of Cooch's corn-dressing machine, made in 1800, and 
shown by Mr. H. Cooch, of Harlestone, the grandson of John 
Cooch, the original inventor of this class of machinery. It 
is stated in the Catalogue that this machine was sold to Mr. 
H. Higgins, of Cooknoe, near Northampton, in September 
1800; at whose death it was transferred te his nephew, Mr, W. 
Higgins, of Houghton, Northampton. Upon the latter relin- 
quishing farming it was sold to Mr. Warren, of Boughton 
Hill, near TVorthampton, who had it in constant use until its 
removal for exhibition at Kilbum. The machine is consequently 
nearly 79 years old ; and although it has been repaired and some 
improvements have been added, still the framework, and nearly 
all the fittings, remain intact ; and it is still capable of dressing 
a sample of corn satisfactorily notwithstanding its great age. 
The truth of the adage, " That there is nothing new under the 
sun," received frequent confirmation at Kilburn. Thus, the 
collection of machines for slicing roots showed the germ of 
the highly finished composite machines of the present day. 
One of these, of which even the exhibitor is unknown, is 
described as a double-edged knife root-cutter, very old. The 
knives are fixed on a horizontal disc, and cut slices with one 
edge and finger-pieces with the other, so that by merely reversing 
the turning, the roots are cut into slices for cattle or into finger- 
pieces for sheep. Another curiosity is Gardener's first patent 
of 1834, which was shown by Mr. S. Colbourn, of Swindon. 
Again, Mr. J. Torr, M.P., showed a chaff-cutting machine, 
with a canvas band for helping forward the progress of the 
straw, which reminds one of the admirable machinery for power, 
shown by Messrs. Richmond and Chandler. There were many 
other curiosities which might be alluded to, but already my 
Report has, I fear, run to too great length. It will be some 
compensation to the Society, which incurred such trouble and 
expense in bringing together such a variety of interesting 
exhibits, which unfortunately were so little seen, if it should 
lead the authorities to organise a National Museum of Models. 
