Report on the Trials of Implements at Oxford. 441 
Section XIV. — Tile Machinery. 
Class 1. — For the class of Macliincs for the manufacture of 
Draining Tiles £15 
Judges. — F. Sherborn, Bcdfont, Middlesex. 
John Hicken, Duuchurch, Paigby. 
John Wheatley, Newinarcb, Driffield. 
Section XV. — Brahiing Tools. 
Class I. — For the class of Draining Tools 10 
Miscellaneous Awards to Agricultural Articles and essential improve- 
ments therein 10 Silver Medals. 
Alterations were made in some particulars, as will be seen by 
the reports. The steaming; apparatus put down for the Judges 
of steam-engines were undertaken by Messrs. Kimber, Hipwell, 
and Thompson, whilst guano-breakers and coprolite-mills were 
adjudicated upon by Messrs. Caldwell, Stephenson, and Ogilvie. 
Mr. Amos and Mr. Amos, jun., with four active assistants, looked 
after the engineering arrangements, and worked the various dyna- 
mometers, used to register the power used by the implements during 
the trials. In many of the divisions, especially the mills, chaff- 
cutters, &c.,the entries were very numerous, and the work conse- 
quently heavy ; but, thanks to more complete preparations, and the 
activity displayed by officials and exhibitors, the start was good, 
and the running well maintained throughout. We cannot say as 
much of the engine-trials. Naturally certain preparatory work 
has to be done, which makes no show ; calculations to be made ; 
machinery to be inspected ; but vexatious delays arose from acci- 
dents and obstructions which certainly were preventible. In- 
structions were issued as to the plan of trial, and, to prevent 
mistakes, a plan and section was prepared. Yet in Class 2, in 
more than one instance, the engine was so fixed that the strap 
from the friction- break would not work, and an alteration either 
of the engine or break was necessary. The pipe to connect the 
Society's boiler with the engines was so faulty, that the pressure 
of steam burst it, and much time was consumed before a satis- 
factory junction was effected. The three friction-breaks were of 
different diameters, and in two of them the bearings heated, 
causing delay. Thus, in one way or another, very little progress 
was made during the first two days ; and, had the entries been 
as numerous as at Bury, we doubt if the work, even with such 
undaunted and energetic Judges as Messrs. Bramwell and 
Cooper, could have been accomplished ; as it was, the stars were 
shining brightly and lanterns were in use on two or three 
evenings before they would cry "hold, enough!" 
it is worth consideration whether it would not be desirable to 
have the breaks of similar size, and drive off a pulley of equal 
dimensions. This would simplify matters, and save much calcu- 
