Report of the Trials of Ploughs, Harrows, Sj-c, at Hull. 603 
fixed oil the main axis of the machine, and, as the latter is drawn forward, the 
forks arc successively forced into the s;rouud. The ends of the transverse bars 
carry short arms provided with rollers, which work over fixed cams, these 
cams being something of this Q shape. The effect of the cams is to give 
the prongs a motion somewhat resembling that of the floats of a feathering 
paddle, causing them to enter the ground fairlj% and to tilt over as they rise 
from it, and thus thoroughly break up the soil. When the machine has to be 
turned, or whilst it is being moved from place to place, the diggers are raised 
clear of the ground by a simple lifting arrangement designed by Mr. Porter, 
The travelling-wheels arc carried by the shorter arms of a pair of bell-cranks, 
placed one on each side of the machine, these arms lying horizontally when 
the machine is in work, at which time the longer arms stand vertically. The 
upper ends of the longer arms are connected by chains to a pair of small 
drums, placed on a shaft carried across the front part of the machine, this 
shaft being capable of being rotated whea required by means of a hand-wheel 
acting through bevel-gearings. 
" The main shaft, carrying the wheels around which the diggers travel, passes 
through the angles of the bell-cranks, and thus forms the fulcrum on which 
the latter work. When the diggers are to be raised clear of the ground, the 
longer arms of the bell-cranks are, by means of the chains and hand-wheel, 
hauled down into a horizontal position ; this operation bringing the shorter 
arms vertical, and causing the wheels carried by them to take the weight of 
the machine. By turning the hand-wheel the other way, the machine can be 
readily lowered again, counter-chains serving to bring the bell-cranks into 
their former position." 
The friction of the endless chain passing over the chain- 
wheels appears to be very great, judging from the noise, and 
we should anticipate serious wear and tear. No tests as to 
draught were applied, as the Judges decided to withhold anj 
award. The machines are made in three forms. No. 1, for 
light land, costs 35/. ; No. 2, for strong soil, taking the breadth 
of four ploughs, costs 45/. ; No. 3, adapted for steam-power, 
costs 120/. 
Section VI. — Potato-ploughs (CI. 32), and Diggers (CI. 33).* 
The trials of these implements were postponed until Septem- 
ber 30th, when they took place on the farm of Mr. John Wells, 
at Booth Ferry, Howden. Out of six implements entered to 
compete in Class 32 and five in Class 33, only three of the 
former and two of the latter were eventually sent to trial. One 
of the Judges, Mr. T. P. Outhwaite, was prevented from being 
present at the trials, which were therefore conducted by Mr. 
T. C. Booth, of VVarlaby, Northallerton, and Mr. J. Hemsley, 
of Shelton, Newark. The ploughs were first tried upon a plot 
of Regent potatoes with the tops quite dead, but with a con- 
siderable quantity of chicken-weed upon the surface. They were 
then taken to a field bearing a splendid crop of Paterson's 
* The Report on Section VI. has been compiled from information furnished by 
Mr. Booth and Mr. Hemsley. — Ed. 
