656 Report on the Trials of Implements at Taunton. 
Class III. — Hay-Makikg Machines. 
Following the usual course of trials, the hay-making machines 
Avere again tested in the same year as the grass-mowers, and 
have not been tried by the Royal Agricultural Society since the 
Manchester Meeting in 1869. 
It is well known that these are really labour-saving machines, 
of especial use, in our changeable climate, at a time when every 
minute of sunshine requires to be made the most of. The great 
majority of these machines do not appear to have been much 
improved since the last trials ; but the back-action, so much 
in favour with many farmers, as having less tendency to thresh 
out the hay-seeds, has nevertheless received much attention by 
most manufacturers. An attempt has also been made by one 
maker to catch up the hay run over by the travelling wheels 
of the machine. This has entailed more complication ; for, as 
was thought by the Judges at a former trial by this Society, by 
keeping the fork-action upon the main axle, strength and sim- 
plicity are gained ; also the forks, by working directly between 
the wheels of the carriage, sufficiently adjust themselves to th(! 
inequalities of the ground. Perhaps one of the greatest novelties 
at these trials was a hay-making machine having a hood com- 
pletely covering the front action of the forks. 
The Prizes offered were — 
£ 
For the best Hay-making Machine 20 
For the second best 10 
For the third best 5 
Mr. J. Thompson, Badminton, Chippenham ; Mr. J. D, 
Ogilvie, Mardon, Cornhill, Northumberland ; Mr. W. Cranfield, 
Buckden, Hants, officiated as Judges. The same instructions 
were given to them as to the Mowing Machine Judges, and the 
following Table of points of merit had been previously arranged 
for them and published : — 
1. Mechanical construction and workmanshiji, with soundness 
and quahty of materials 300 
2. General arrangement of machine and its gearing, including 
forward and back action, simplicity and lightness, com- 
bined with strength 200 
3. Arrangement and adaptation of machine for working on 
uneven ground 150 
4. Perfection of work done on trial, including freedom from 
clogging and ease of management 300 
5. Price oft 
1000 
