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XXXVI. — Report on Cream-separators and Miscellaneous Imple- 
ments at Reading, 1882. By T. F. Jackson, Tattenhall Hall, 
Chester. 
Raixy and unsettled weather has been associated with the 
Royal Agricultural Meeting so often, that I almost fear it may 
become proverbial ; this year has certainly been no exception 
to the rule. There were all the conditions to hand at Reading 
this year for a most successful Meeting, fine weather being the 
only absent factor, and the elements conspired, " and nearly 
succeeded too," in frustrating the combined efforts of Council, 
Secretary, and Stewards. The ground on which the Show was 
held was admirably suited for such an exhibition, especially so in 
wet weather, the water quickly draining away through the porous 
soil. After the exceedingly wet day of Tuesday, the 11th of 
July, the ground on the following morning was comparatively 
dry ; and under the directorship of Mr. Jacob Wilson, the 
Stewards were enabled to have the Show-ground in perfect 
order for the visit of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. 
These natural advantages of ground, and the capital approaches 
thereto by road and rail, we hoped would have so much assisted 
implement-makers in setting up their stands, that we should 
find everything in order for the 3rd of July, the time appointed 
for all machinery being placed in the yard. I cannot speak 
too highly of the courtesy of these gentlemen, when found, but 
for three days the Judges were tramping hopelessly through 
stand after stand without finding the principal, and in most 
cases without even a responsible person in charge. The con- 
sequence was that, when our duties ought to have been ended, 
we were hunted from one end of the yard to the other by exhi- 
bitors who unceasingly cried out that some boon to the agricul- 
turists had not been brought before them (the public) through 
the medium of the ' Journal of the Roval Agricultural Society,' 
the fact being that when the Judges looked through the exhibits, 
these particular machines were reposing serenely in straw and 
packing-cases. I would ask exhibitors in future to leave at 
least one responsible person in charge of their stands until 
after the Judges have been round ; this would materially lighten 
their labours. 
The Royal Agricultural Society, recognising the growing 
importance of dairy farming in England, have done all in their 
power to stimulate it, by establishing a Working Dairy at their 
Shows, where tlie best machinery for dairy work has been tested. 
By these means they have enabled the manufacturer to turn out 
the best article at the lowest possible price, and so to combat 
the ever-increasing foreign competition. 
