218 Report on the Trials of Potato-raising Machines. 
proper distance from tlie row, and this is more especially the 
case when the soil is either of a close heavy nature or at all 
moist. Beneath the fork and attached to its shaft, is a broad 
triangular-shaped share. In most cases both share and fork are 
actuated by a leverage from the front wheel, the depth being 
regulated by a lever handle, fitting into a graduated bar or 
ratchet ; but in some cases the depth of the share can be altered 
independently of the fork by a screw actuated by a wheel- 
handle. This is a decided advantage, as being much more expe- 
ditious and certain than lowering the arms of the share by 
loosening a wedge. Some of the machines had no front wheel, 
and were consequently less steady in action. 
I proceed to a more detailed description of the machines that 
were noticed by the Judges. 
Implements the Price of which exceeded 51. 
No. in 
Cata- 
Name of Exhibitor 
Address of Exhibitor 
Price 
Remarks 
logue 
£ 
s. 
d. 
1667 
Allan, J. D., & 
Sons 
Culthill Implement 
Works, Dunkeld, 
N.B. 
12 
10 
0 
Commended 
1766 
Elder, William 
Tweedmouth Imple- 
ment Works, Ber- 
wick-on-Tweed 
13 
0 
0 
1557 
Jack, Alexander, 
Maybole, Ayrshire 
13 
0 
0 
i Sons 
1670 
Kyd, Robert 
Cupar Angus, Perth- 
13 
0 
0 
Reserved number 
shire, N.B. 
1540 
Penney & Co., 
Lim. 
City Iron Works, Lin- 
coln 
IG 
0 
0 
1835 
Powell Bros., & 
Whitaker 
Cambrian Iron Works, 
Wrexham 
13 
13 
0 
Prize of £20 
1628 
Thompson, 
Moorhouse A. 
Old Tweed Implement 
Works, Berwick-on- 
Tweed 
li 
0 
0 
Highly com- 
mended 
No. 1835. Poiccll Brothers & Whitakcr, Wrexham^ are the 
manufacturers of the prize macliine, invented by Mr. J. A. 
Lewis, of Hassall, near Sandbach. The illustration opposite 
gives a good idea of it. Its principal features are that the 
fork wheel, instead of being cast in a straight form, is cone- 
shaped, with forks set on an angle, by which it is contended, 
and I think correctly, that the forks work more directly under 
the ridge, thus moving the tubers with less soil, and insuring 
more perfect work. Another important point is that the 
number of forks can be varied from G to 12 to suit tbe soil and 
crop ; but as the fork wheel is speeded somewhat slower than 
most of the machines, it is generally desirable to employ the 
