at the Carlisle Meeting, 1855. 
507 
furnished for consumption. The extraordinary demand for the 
thrasliing-machine, and its daily use on the farm, are circum- 
stances that prove its estimation by the agricultural community. 
It has, indeed, become to the farmer an object of as great import- 
ance as the plough, and accordingly has a claim on the part of the 
Society for every exertion being made to render it as perfect as 
possible. The prize thrashing-machines also require, like the 
steam-engines, to be placed for a lengthened subsequent period 
in the hands of practical intelligent farmers, before the confii-ma- 
tion of the awards made to them at the country meetings. 
Corn-dressiiu/ 3Iachines. — These machines are now a necessary 
adjunct to the thrashing-machines, and although the competition 
in this class was very great, and proved that some novelty of idea 
and construction had been introduced at Carlisle, there is, in my 
opinion, still hope for further imjirovement, and I trust the 
Society will not lose sight of the opening which there yet seems 
to be for such improvement in those at present indispensable 
machines. 
Root-pulping 3Iachines. — The Society, by offering a prize for 
these machines, has brought out several attempts towards the 
attainment of this object, which, although not yet fully accom- 
plished, by the perfect pulping of the roots, has already to a 
certain extent been gained. These machines have been of great 
advantage in enabling the farmer to economize his roots ; and in a 
season of deficiency of the turnip-crop, like the present, they will 
enable him to appreciate the efforts of the Society in promoting 
improvement in an instrument of so much value on the farm. 
Ploughs. — Although no decided practical results in the com- 
parative draught of ploughs could be obtained, in consequence of 
the dynamometer employed on that occasion not being of modern 
construction, or satisfactory in its principle, still enough was 
indicated at the trials to show that improvements had taken 
place in the formation and arrangements of the different parts 
of the plough ; and although it is the opinion of many persons 
that perfection is really attained in this important farm-implement, 
yet I still look forward to the time when its construction will be 
better adapted to the present operations on the soil, and for leav- 
ing the land in a fit state for drills or other machines required to 
complete its cultivation. 
Cultivators. — The cultivators, grubbers, and scarifiers require 
more time, and at a different period of the year, for their satisfactory 
trial. They evidently admit of being brought to a greater state 
of perfection than they have at present attained. 
Rollers. — Although great improvements have been made within 
the last few years in these important implements, especially in 
rollers for pulverizing the soil, the necessity for a good roller for 
