528 Report of the Trials of Plour/lis, Harrows, ^c, at Hull. 
overflow ; the soil consists of a strongish warp, varying slightly 
in natural cliaracter, but considerably in consequence of dif- 
ferent conditions of cultivation. Thus, Nos. 4, 5, and 6, set 
apart for the plough trials, were in seeds partly of two years' 
growth, and consequently, owing probably to two wet seasons, 
in a very hard unsatisfactory state ; whereas Nos. 1 and 2, laid 
out for the trials of Harrows, Cultivators, tScc, had been recently 
disturbed. No. 1 was a vetch stubble, and No. 2 had been once 
ploughed since harvest, and consequently worked a full horse 
lighter. This fact was taken advantage of, the second and con- 
clusive trials for both the light, double, and single ploughs being 
held in this field. It was fortunate, both for the Society and the 
Exhibitors, that there was this opportunity for a reasonable test, 
for it was not fair to expect light-land implements to stand the 
excessive strain incidental to the tearing up of great masses of 
soil in an indurated condition : true, such a test discovers weak 
points, and it may be safely inferred that the machine that 
stands such work will answer on the lighter soils ; but, on the 
other hand, it must be remembered that light-land implements 
are limited to a given weight, and makers are naturally anxious 
to make an implement as light as is consistent Avith due strength 
for the Avork they are intended for. Had no opportunity under 
more favourable circumstances been afforded for a second trial, 
the non-successful might with some show of reason have attri- 
buted their failure to the untoward condition under which they 
were compelled to compete. 
The sum of 380Z. was offered, including a special prize of 
25/. for the best combined stacking-machine. It will be re- 
membered that these useful labour economisers came into com- 
petition in connection with threshing machinery at Cardiff. 
The trials of the latter, however, occupied so much time, that it 
was impossible to devote such attention to the stackers as their 
importance demanded, hence it was felt very desirable to repeat 
the trials. A report of these trials, together with a description 
of the Implements to which Silver Medals Avere aAvardcd, by 
Mr. C. G. Roberts, is appended. Messrs. Clayton and Shuttle- 
worth, Avho carried off tAvo prizes at Cardiff, did not again enter 
into competition. The utility of demonstrating by prolonged 
and exhaustive tests Avhich machines are most likely to give 
satisfaction to the purchaser Avas duly appreciated by the public, 
and scant as Avere the visitors to the trial fields, there was 
always a goodly muster in tlie rickyard as Hessle Priory. It 
was felt that the offering of this prize for competition in the 
year devoted to cultivating implements Avas a praiseworthy 
innovation on routine, Avhich might l)e improved upon in the 
future. That this great Society might add to its utility by 
