628 Miscellaneotis Implements Exhibited at Plymouth. 
Fig. 4. 
Mr. J. Best, 24 Old Town Street, Plymouth— Patent Auto- 
matic Valve (Art. 213), for intermittent working of Hydraulic 
Rams. This was shown at work, and appeared well finished 
and of good construction, acting with great certainty. It is 
improved in several details, especially in the balance bar, which 
is a hollow tube containing 7 lb. of mercury. The fluid 
metal runs from end to end, as the rising and falling of the 
float brings it over the centre of balance, with sufficient force to 
ensure the opening and closing of the valve. On many farms, 
where good springs of water exist and a suitable fall can be 
obtained, but perhaps without a sufficient supply of water to 
work a Ham continuously, by means of a small tank and a valve 
of this description a Ram can be worked intermittently without 
attention and with good results. 
Mr. C. R. Valentine, Ludlow, showed an " Acidimeter" (Art. 
281). This is an apparatus for testing the degree of acidity in 
cream, milk, whey, curd, &c, and comprises a set of specially 
graduated test-tubes and chemical reagents, the whole fitting 
compactly into a mahogany case. When worked by the in- 
ventor good results were obtained, but it appeared to require 
rather more skilful manipulation than the ordinary farm "dairy 
could command. The same was the case with this Exhibitor's 
'Milk Tester (Art. 285). 
Messrs. T. Bradford & Co.'s Dairy Table (Art. 384). In the 
centre of this table is an improved " making up " press, worked 
