374 Report on the Exhibition and Trial of Implements 
Flax Mill. 
Eansome and Sims, 
Flax Machine. — This machine removes the objection that 
exists amongst farmers to the cultivation of flax, as it brings the 
fibre into a marketable condition, without the troublesome process 
of retting and hand-scutching : it was driven bj steam, and re- 
quired but one-hoi"se power to work it. 
We had only one machine to try for the purpose of breaking flax and sepa- 
rating- the seed and fibre from the straw as soon as harvested. We consider it 
capable of effecting those objects without steeping. We weighed out 7 lbs. of 
straw, which produced 4j lbs. of rough flax for the scutching machine. After 
the process of scutching we had 2 lbs. 9 oz. of marketable flax and tow ; 1 lb. 
of the ibrmer, and 1 lb. 9 oz. of the latter : on the above grounds we had no 
hesitation in awarding it a medal. 
James Hall Nalder. 
H. B. Caldwell. 
Ste^ui-Engines. 
The advantage of steam upon a farm is incalculable. It gives 
speed to everything connected with it, smartens the intelligent 
labourer, assists the hard-working, and keeps the lazy man to his 
work. It enforces regularity, and compels punctuality. 
The question whether fixed or moveable power is most advan- 
tageous depends upon circumstances ; hut this I loould stronrjlif 
impress — the great importance of plenty of poiver. 
Our portable engines had become too refined, and the Society 
was obliged to make such regulations as ensured simplicity of 
construction and easiness of access to their different parts. These 
objects have been attained, without lessening the quality or 
quantity of the work performed, as will appear by the Report of 
Mr. Amos. 
In making our trials and comparisons we have kept strictly in view the 
conditions laid down by the Council in their instructions to exhibitors and 
judges, and were glad to find that the engines were in general considerably 
sim])lified in their arrangements and the workmanship improved over last year. 
The Tables on p. 375 contain the results of the several engines tested. 
Wc have to express our great gratification at the very complete arrangements 
which were made by the Consulting Engineer to the Society for conducting 
these tests, both as to the improvement in the construction and certainty in 
the breaks, and the general arrangements lor changing the trials from one 
engine to another, by which the time occupied was very materially reduced 
and the results more satisfactory. 
