364 Report on the Exhibition and Trial of Implements 
machinery and implements are brought to the severe test of a 
public trial. 
Our field trials commenced with deep ploughing on the heavy 
land. These trials fully proved the absurdity of ploughing up at 
one time so large a mass of inert stubborn clay. The only advice 
I could give the occupiers of the field in answer to the question 
of "Now, Sir, what am I to do with this land? " was, " Plough 
it back again if you can." 
Our first trial was of the ))loughs " adapted for ploughing more than 10 
inches deep:" this took place on a field of very heavy and adhesive clay soil, 
and resulted in ])roving most decidedly the value and adaptation of the ploughs 
for this ]>ur|)ose. Six i)loughs competed in this class, four of which number 
were speedily seen to Ijc incapable of standing the severe test to wliicli they 
were subjected ; still tlie anxiety of their exhibitors to prove their cajjabilitics 
was so great, that ultimately eight very powerful horses were attached to each 
plough, and the ploughing, if we may so term it, became interestingly absurd ; 
ibr, in addition to the horses, four or five leaders were to be observed with 
them, and a similar number in holding and riding upon the ploughs to ])revent 
them being thrown out of work by the tenacity of the soil, and to force them 
to turn over such an unexam))led furrow-slice, frequently compi'ising a depth of 
12 inches by IG. This could answer no other good purpose than to tost 
strength ; and it is but justice to say, that the ploughs passed through this 
severe test without injury, whilst at the same time it proved utter destruction 
to whi[>|)letrees and plough-harness; and had we not been favoured with the 
admirable truss-whippletrccs and chain-traces so effectually arranged for 
heavy draughts by Messrs. Ransome and Sims, this trial could not have taken 
place. As respects four of these ploughs, we report that those of Messrs. 
Busby, Balls, and AVilliams, showed sufficient capability to effect such deep 
ploughing, but at too great a cost ; and Mr. Barker withdrew his from com- 
petition. Of the remaining two we have more to say. Botli ploughs pet- 
formed their work well ; and, notwithstanding their being put to the severest 
test by eight selected horses, they both passed steadily through their work, 
and made a fair and tolerable furrow of 10 inches by 15 through an almost 
impervious clay-soil, and were ultimately selected to try their final powers in 
another and milder portion of the field at a less depth, and with four hurses 
and one driver. Tiiis trial took place subsequently, and obtained considerable 
interest. Both ])loughs were directed to plough not less than 7 inches in 
depth, after the fifth round, the soil very strong adhesive clay. In the seventh 
round six horses were a[)plied, 8 inches were attained, and a good furrow 
turned by both ])loughs, being 8 inches by 12. The work made by Howard's 
])lough appeared to us the cleanest cut, and, as a whole, most etfcctually turned 
and laid uj), less falling back into the furrow, a somewhat broader furrow-sole 
was left, and the draught, so fur as we could observe, no greater than the com- 
peting plough belonging to llansomes and Sims ; consequently wc awarded 
the i)rize to Messrs. Howard of Bedford. Plough, article No. 3, stand 46, 
price 5/. 15s. 
General Purpose Ploughs. — These trials were most satisfactory, 
and the work excellent. 
Plov(jh best adapted for General Purposes. — The next and most important 
of the ti ials committed to our care was to prove which was the best plough 
for general jjurposes, and in this department we at once resolved to give the 
fullest and clearest tests that it was possible for us to ])roposc to ourselves. 
It was no easy task to decide upon the merits of the ditterent ploughmen, for 
