Report on the Trials of Implements at Reading. 
647 
These statements have been repeated and endorsed by many 
newspaper writers, most of whom indulge in the usual sneers at 
the folly and ignorance of farmers in neglecting to avail them- 
selves of the discoveries of science, while some express a charit- 
able hope that now at last the British farmer will not close his 
ears and eyes to this ascertained remedy for losses which may 
occur season after season. 
Under these circumstances, when Mr. Martin J. Sutton, a 
member of the well-known firm of Sutton and Sons (seedsmen), 
Reading, generously offered for the acceptance of the Royal 
Agricultural Society a prize of 100 guineas for " the most 
efficient and economical method of drying Hay or Corn crops 
artificially, either before or after being stacked," the Council 
of the Society were acting with their usual public spirit in accept- 
ing that offer, and undertaking the onerous and costly enterprise 
of testing: the different methods which might be submitted for 
competition. In making arrangements for the trials in connec- 
tion with Mr. Sutton's prize, the efforts of the Society were 
warmly seconded by the Reading Local Committee and the 
Reading Corporation in their capacity of owners and cultivators 
of the Reading Sewage Farm. 
Before proceeding to describe the different machines and 
appliances entered for competition for this prize, and the trials 
which were carried out by the Stewards and Judges of the 
Society, it will be well to enumerate the competing methods, 
classifying them according to the means employed. 
The Judges met in the Showyard on Alonday the 3rd of 
July, and immediately proceeded to inspect the articles entered 
for trial in the Classes with which they had to deal. Owing to 
mistakes and delays on the part of the Railway Companies, 
some of the machines had not arrived, and others which were 
on the ground wanted a few finishing touches. 
Sub-Class A. 
GiBBs's Hat Dster. 
Exhibitor — William W. Champiox, of Wfdtley Manor Farm, Reading. 
Article 6094 — -Hay Diyer, Gibbs's ; manufactured by William A. Gibbs, 
Gillwell Park, Chingford, Esses. Price 350?. To be used in combination 
with duplex fan. 
The following description of this machine by Mr. Anderson 
the Consulting Engineer of the Society, will convey to the 
reader as good an idea of it as can be formed without an actual 
inspection. 
This machine consists of a furnace for heating air, and a fan for propelling 
it into the liaymaking-machine, which is an arrangement by which the 
