and Miscellaneous Implements at Hull. 
62a 
shaft of the lower chain-wheels ; these latter are octagonal, of cast iron, with 
long teeth, working into the double links of the ladder-chain. This chain of 
double and single links alternately might be recommended for its durability^ 
but we are inclined to think a chain driven by a plain octagonal wheel, as 
used in the machines previously described, is better in principle. 
Of the two machines with telescopic troughs. No. 1234 (J. Coultas, Fig. 1, 
p. 609) is in all the principles of its construction similar to the machine 
exhibited last year at Cardiff by Messrs. Clayton and Shuttleworth, which 
then took the first prize, and is described and illustrated on page 454: of 
the ' Journal ' for 1872 (Second Series, vol. viii. Part 2, No. XVI). 
On comparing the telescopic with the folding- troughs we may notice, that 
while the former possess some advantages in avoiding the use of hinges, yet, 
on the other hand, they occupy more space when packed. The ladder-chains 
to this machine are of common links, and driven by a skeleton-wheel. The 
tipper chain-wheels, and all the guide-pulleys are grooved to keep the chain 
in a straight line. A wheel and pinion for quick motion were used in the 
horse-gear ; although the ladder was driven at a higher speed than usual, it 
travelled smoothly ; and the chief objection to the pace was that, in conjunc- 
tion with the long curved teeth of the rakes, it had a tendency to spin the 
sheaves as they fell to the rick. The driving-rod from the horse-gear was 
well protected where it crossed the horse-track by passing it through a 
3-inch gas-pipe. It is an advantage to have the trough light, but in this 
case the lightness has not been sufliciently combined with strength. In all 
other respects the machine is strongly made, and of good workmanship ; the 
travelling- wheels are of wood. A hood is provided of wood and canvas. 
No. 4889. Eobey and Co. In its general plan this machine resembles the 
last, its trough being telescopic, the ladder-chain is also plain, and driven by 
a wheel with notched groove. It differs from it, however, in one important 
item, lightness of working parts has here been sacrificed to strength. The 
lower part of the trough is strongly framed of wood, but is too long and too 
heavy for the very moderate height attained in the trial. The total length of 
the trough is 43 feet, yet it was only worked to 25 feet, a height attained 
efficiently by Messrs. Wallis and Steevens' machine, with a trough only 28 
feet 6 inches long. We found strength and lightness in troughs best ob- 
tained by the use of iron braces, wooden framing being often too heavy. 
The rake-heads were rather too heavy, and, instead of being flat, were made 
with an almost square section ; this would produce a tendency to turn over 
in working, and to prevent this an extra chain passes down the middle of the 
ladder, each length of this chain is fastened to the under side of one rake, 
and to the upper side of tlie following rake. This contrivance effectu- 
ally prevents the rakes from turning over, but it increases the draught of the 
ladder, which, from the low inclination and great length of the trough, 
must in any case have been heavy. The guide-rails, whicli in all other ma- 
chines were continued down the whole length of the trough, and serve to 
raise the rake-hcads about 2 inches from the floor, were omitted in the 
lower, and placed too far apart in the upper part; the consequence was, that 
the heavy rake-heads, knocking directly upon the floor of the trough, tended 
to thresh out corn in the trial with sheaves, and made the work very heavy 
for the horse. The middle chain was found objectionable also in the earlier 
trials, for hay and straw were caught by it, and delivered under the machine 
instead of upon the rick. The hood is formed of sheet-iron and wood. The 
workmanship throughout is substantial. An economy in price and horse 
labour might be obtained by using a shorter trough at a sharper pitch. 
No. 5014.* Stephen Leicin. This machine is almost identical in all re- 
spects with the one by the same maker that obtained the second prize last 
year at Cardiff, and is described and illustrated on page 455 of the 'Journal" 
