Report on the Trials of Implements at Oxford. 471 
Class 2. — For Mills with Metal Grinders for grinding Agricultural Produce 
for feeding purposes hy Steam or Horse power. £20. 
Messrs. Amies, Barford, and Co. maintained the same position as at Bury 
with an almost identical machine, an improvement on Felton's American mill, 
with the manufacture of which they have been so long connected. The mill 
is slip;htly conical in sha]3e. The feed is carried forward by a revolving screw 
running parallel to and above the cone, the speed of which can be regulated 
to suit the nature of the corn, &c. The grinding surfaces, i.e. on the cone and 
the concave, or breast, are made of cold blast white iron, specially prepared for 
the purpose, so hardened as to require no recutting. The grinding surfaces 
can be sharpened as they become dull by running coarse sand through the 
mill, and when worn out can be replaced at a moderate cost. This is a 
valuable mill, the quality of the work being proved by the excellent sample 
of flour. The framework is very strong ; it can be readily fixed, and can be 
fitted with wheels for a portable mill if required. The mill selected for trial 
was one of medium size, adapted for about 4-horse power ; price 181. 10s. 
Mr. Corbett's mill is on an entirely different principle. The grinding 
portion consists of two serrated disc plates of iron, deeply chilled on their 
grinding surfaces. One of these plates is screwed to a vertical frame, through 
which a horizontal spindle passes, which is fitted with a cast block of iron, 
to which is applied a second plate made to revolve against the fixed plate. 
A screw at the end of the spindle allows of the mill being regulated to 
produce a coarse or fine sample. The feed is simple and self acting, being 
effected by a worm rotating on the spindle, and a slide in conjunction, 
and immediately the mill stops the feed ceases. The grain is conducted to 
the centre of the fixed plate, where it is distributed regularly over the 
grinding surface. The efficacy of the mill is due in great measure to the 
peculiar manner in which the plates are grooved, as they cross each other 
from the centre to the periphery, thereby causing a shearing and wrenching 
action and pressure outward, so that no dust or glutinous substance can 
remain on the plates. To the end of the spindle which carries the revolving 
plates, a pair of spiral springs are applied, which give way to any UTegularity 
of pressure, so that in the event of a nail or other foreign substance getting in, 
the same, if incapable of being ground down, will pass through without breaking 
the plates. The grinding surfaces are carried m the centre of the top frame 
and bearings, whereby side strain is obviated, and the motive power is applied 
direct. The frame is of cast iron and strong. The price of the machine under 
trial was 111. The meal was well ground, and the power consumed was 
reasonable. Of its kind, this appears to be a very good mill. 
The mill shown by E. and H. Roberts was on the same principle, only 
diflering in minor details. The runner is adjusted by a screw working in 
a collar. Corn passes through tiie centre of the fixed disc, falling on a 
rotating plate with two arms, which distributes the corn all over the grinding 
surface. The sample was excellent. The price is 101. 10s. 
In Smith and Grace's mill, which was commended, we find three rollers cut 
straight across : No. 1, which is the driving roller, is used as a crusher for beans, 
peas, or Indian corn ; No. 2 and 3 are rollers placed one under the other running 
the same way, but in an opposite direction to No, 1 ; No. 3 grinds barley. 
Awards. 
208. Amies, Barford, and Co. 
G340. Thomas Corbett .. ., 
5954. E. and H. Roberts 
1671. Smith and Grace .. 
Commended. 
£8 
7 
5 
Eleven Competitors. 
