362 RepoH on the Exhibition of Implements 
allotted to the exhibitors and the public. The arrangement of 
the stewards for conducting the trials of chaff-cutters, threshing- 
machines, steam-engines, &c., in a separate contiguous yard, faci' 
litated tlie operations of the judges, and materially diminished the 
injury not unfrequently suffered by the machines on removing 
them, as heretofore, to distant spots for trial. The field trials 
were also managed with a success so superior to that attending all 
former attempts to give effect to them, as to reflect the highest 
credit on the stewaids for recommending the new system adopted 
on this occasion. It has solved the problem of the possibility of 
obtaining results to be relied upon at these great assemblages of 
competitors. It was proved that the selected fields may be main- 
tained free from all intrusion by the public, or by any persons not 
authorized to be present during the private trials of the judges. 
Nothing, indeed, could be more agreeable and satisfactory to all 
parties concerned than the conduct of this department at the farms 
of Mr. Caleb Gater, of Swathling, and of Mr. W. C. Spooner, of 
Eling, who respectively rendered every assistance in their power. 
Great as has been this step in advancing one of the important 
objects of the Society — viz. the obtaining sound and incontroverti- 
ble knowledge of the particular and relative merits of agricultural 
implements — there is still reason to believe that this object may 
be attained to a greater extent, and with still greater certainty and 
satisfaction in some cases. The judges have occasionally found it 
necessary to refrain from deciding on the merits of certain imple- 
ments for want of sufficient time, or of a fitting season of the year, 
to come to a fair judgment on them. The Council has, under 
these circumstances, appointed different members to make the 
necessary trials, and to report thereon ; yet several remain unde- 
cided, and in abeyance : so that the prizes offered by the Societ\' 
for certain implements have not been adjudged. Some plan may 
possibly be devised by the Council for realizing to the competitors, 
and to the Society, the intended effect of the Society's premiums, 
by assuring more promj)t yet deliberate decisions in these neces- 
sarily deferred cases of judgment. The writer imagines that all 
will unite in opinion that when exhibitors appear at the invitati(m 
of the Society to contend for prizes, an award should surely follow, 
unless for the reason of insufficient merit. One other remark on 
the subject may be permitted. In consequence of allowing two 
days for judging implements in the field — a space of time which 
cannot be curtailed consistently with the interests of the Society 
and of the exhibitors — it is thought that one more day, in addition 
to the time allowed for judging at Southampton, and previous to 
the admission of the })ublic to the show-yard, is desirable. This 
extension would enable the judges to deliberate with care on their 
awards, after the trials; and it would afford i\mc for them to ex- 
