at the Dcrhij JSkftiiuj, 1843. 
471 
observed its action wlien five tines were set at different depths 
(all heinjr adjustable), actin"; in a clay soil, at Iloiijjh Hcanor, 
which had fortunately l)een brou<!:lit into proper condition to ex- 
hibit the properties ot" such a tool. It worked cleverly with a 
pair of horses, and, as it passed along, the soil had the appearance 
of beinij thrown into a perfect state of commotion and mixture. 
The style in which it was turned out of hand did frreat credit to 
the maker, Mr. Clyburn. The Society's silver medal was awarded 
for this implement. 
Surface and Snhsoil. — To Mr. John Bruce, of Tiddington, 
near Stratford-on-Avon, bl. were adjudged for a novel and 
apparently very useful combination of two subsoil tines with the 
common wheel-plough. The show-yard contained implements 
having stirrers upcm the plan of the Charlbury subsoil, i. e. 
affixed to the hinder part or heel of the plough. Mr. Bruce's 
conti'ivance is on a different, and it is thought a superior, prin- 
ciple. He applies to the right-hand side of his plough-beam, and 
about parallel with the point of the share, a frame containing two 
tines, adjustable as to width and depth, which, by means of a 
lever brought convenient to the ploughman, can be raised out of 
work at the land's-end, and set in again on the next bout with 
great readiness. The tines stand off' from the beam so as to 
Avork to the depth of about 5 inches below the furrow-slice last 
turned, and thus loosen the soil previously trodden by the horses, 
leaving the slice also in no inconsiderable state of division. On 
trial, the action of the tines did not at all appear to derange that 
of the plough, or throw additional labour on ihe holder. The 
Judges have learnt that this combination has been used and much 
approved by practical farmers in the inventor's neighbourhood. 
From observing the effect of this arrangement, it has been sug- 
gested to Mr. Bruce, that in certain soils, with the addition of 
Mason's knives, a very complete disintegration of the surface, 
as well as the loosening the subsoil, would be effected off the 
plough at one operation. This is in course of trial. The treble 
combination may be found to be too complicated for general pur- 
poses, but yet very manageable in many soils, and particularly 
suitable for drill husbandry, which requires a finely comminuted 
preparation, rather than that the furrow-slices should be packed 
mto masses, as for the broad-cast system. 
Neither agriculturists nor their mechanics seem yet to have 
quite comprehended that the machinery for executing the drill 
system in perfection should be accommodated expressly to the 
object in view. The broad-cast system, or sowing after the 
plough, necessitates the formation of angular-topped, ridged fur- 
rows, for the reception of the seed, and the harrow is necessary to 
cover it. But a strict adherence to these methods is obviously 
