516 Report on the Trials of Implements at Wolverhampton. 
axle is a strong square shaft, to which arc afBxed by clamps and bolts two or 
more sets of diamond-pointed tines, four in each set, tlie sets being parallel 
so that two or more tines shall be in the ground at once. The square shaft, 
carrying also the discs C (of which one is removed in the drawing), is 
mounted in bearings upon the frame, but its revolution is controlled by a 
four-toothed ratchet, D, into which drops a catch on the under side of the long 
lever handle E. Riveted to one side of the lever, and working close to the 
face of the ratchet D, is a double inclined plane, so formed that when pins 
are put into holes which are in the ratchet face and corresponding in number 
and position to the teeth, the round heads of the pins projecting sideways and 
bearing against the inclined plane prevent the lever falling into the teeth of 
the ratchet and locking it. The action of the anchor is as follows : As soon 
as the implement starts on its journey toward the anchor, the strain upon the 
rope tends to draw the anclior along the headland in the direction of the 
arrow ; the tinse on the rear shaft being embedded in the ground cause the 
shaft to turn, the rotation being assisted by the revolution of the disc-plates C, 
which are fast upon that shaft or axle, and the motion continues imtil 
arrested by the lever-catch E dropping into the ratchet D. Directly the 
implement reaches the end of its furrow next to the anchor, either the plough- 
man or the porter-boy releases the ratchet by raising the lever handle, when 
the ratchet D at once springs forward just sufficiently to hold up the lever by 
the catch. The man or boy then puts into the holes one or more pins, 
according to the intended distance of advance of the anchor at its next shift, 
but without a pin in that hole next the tooth which is to be caught; 
and leaves the anchor thus regulated, immovable while the im]jlement is 
on its return journey but ready to move forward when the pulling strain 
again comes upon it. The resultant strain upon the anchor being diagonal, the 
resistance offered is rightly arranged to be longitudinal by means of the tines 
and transverse by means of the disc wheels. A box for the reception of 
weights surmounts the frame (though omitted in the Fig. 23), overhanging 
that side which is farthest from the implement ; and there appears to be 
a little difficulty in adjusting the load according to the nature of the ground 
and the draught of the implement. But when this is done, the action is 
tolerably certain ; and at any rate the porter-boy, by means of a wood lever, 
can always give the anchor a start, and thus make it run forw^ard to its place. 
Hence the two anchor-men required in working the common claw-anchor and 
snatch-block tackle are dispensed with. The Campain anchor is guided in its 
intermittent course along the headland by the front axle being locked or 
i5lightly angled by means of a rod and lever, F, working in a spring quadrant 
at G ; and for travelling from place to place, road wheels are hung upon the 
disc axles, the wheels when removed being replaced by loose bushes. Messrs. 
Amies and Barford employ a very handy "pick-up'' rope-porter, in which 
the rigger has a sliding movement upon its axle; so that while falling close to 
the ground when being inserted under the rope, it traverses along its slanting 
axle when the porter is in position, thus occupying a central place above the 
points of support and preserving the equilibrium of the porter. 
The cultivator used is a modification of the Woolston implement, with a 
triangular locking frame in place of the "turnbow," a handwheel and chain 
movement instead of a lever for steering, and shares of a rounded-diamond or 
pear shape in i^lace of the Woolston square spuds. 
The plough invented by Mr. E. Proctor, of Pitstone, Tring, is constructed 
with parallel beams and trusses, upon what is called the "semi-balance" 
principle, and is lightly made, the 3-iurrow implement weighing only 18 cwts. 
In the trial at Barnhurst on July 1st, with three men and two boys working 
the tackle, the cultivating at 7 inches depth was inferior work, with a very 
uneven bottom ; the ploughing at 6j inches depth was well done, but the 
A 
