028 Report on Miscellaneous Implement Awards at Derby. 
casting, 2 feet 6 inches high, and 3 feet 1 inch in diameter. The 
cap is formed with pockets to receive the poles, and is capable of 
revolving upon the turned edge of the above-mentioned cylinder. 
The inner edge of the cylinder is formed at the top into an 
internal toothed-wheel gearing, into which, and pivoted to the 
revolving cap, are three idle wheels which also gear into a spur- 
pinion, keyed to a vertical shaft, the top end of which runs loosely 
in the cap, whilst the bottom is carried by a footstep. Near 
the bottom of this vertical shaft is keyed a bevel-wheel, which 
drives a bevel-pinion fixed to a horizontal countershaft. On 
this countershaft is keyed a spur-wheel, which gears into a 
spur-pinion upon the layshaft to which it gives motion. The 
end of the layshaft projects outside the cylinder and carries a 
clutch so contrived as to be able to drive in either direction, and 
also (by means of pawls engaging into notches) to continue 
revolving after the bullocks have stopped. The layshaft is 
continued by lengths of shaft coupled by universal joints, so as 
to be connected with the machinery to be driven. 
For one revolution of the cap the vertical spindle revolves six 
times, the first countershaft 32'4 times, and the layshaft 97*2 
times, or altogether nearly 100 to 1. The advantages claimed 
for this mechanism are — perfect balance of the main gearing, 
the strain being applied at three points in the circle ; great 
strength, owing to so many teeth being in gear at once ; com- 
pactness, lightness, durability, and safety. The whole of the 
gear, being boxed, is kept free from dust and dirt, and there is 
no risk of accident to the attendants. 
A great novelty in Chaff-Cutters was shown by Messrs. Smith 
and Grace, of Thrapston, who, as far as I know, have obtained 
quite an exceptional mode of action to the feed-rollers, which 
are intermittent in their motion, resting whilst the knives are 
cutting, and pushing the hay forwards whilst the knives are out 
of work, and thus, imitating the intermittent action of the man's 
hand, pushing forward the hay in the old box and knife. This, 
and the fact that, by very slight alterations, eight different 
sizes, ranging from J to \^ inch, can be cut, are points of 
merit that might have justified a Medal, had the machine been 
as suitable for power as for manual labour. The intermittent 
action of the rollers undoubtedly tends to secure a clean uniform 
cut, with a less outlay of power than when, by a continual action, 
the hay is forced against the knife, which must result in a more 
or less ragged cut. Hence it is that, with knives of the best 
construction and in excellent order, the result of cutting by 
power is so rough that the chaff is frequently screened, and the 
long straws passed through again. 
On the main shaft, which carries the fly-wheel, there is a disc. 
