512 
Report on the Trials of Implements at Oxford. 
cog gearing on its circumference. The wires radiate from the centre like spokes 
and can be tightened or even replaced without stopping the machine ; before 
coming in contact with the l)rick they pass between, and are momentarily held 
by two springs, and this detention gives them velocity, as well as tends to 
clean them. The wheel is fixed at such an angle in reference to the table as 
to .secure a straight cut. It was this machine that conquered the brickmakers 
at Manchester, and brought them to their senses, and, as a triumph of 
mechanical genius, we could not do less than name it here ; and we trust that 
any deficiency in our descrii)tion will be made clear by the illustration. 
Pinfold's machine ■ selected by the Judges for competition was on a much 
smaller scale, and had no self-feed. The clay is fed into two powerful rollers, 
the space between which can be regulated by screws. It is provided with 
safety friction break and a travelling cutter which moves forward during the 
act of cutting at the same rate as the clay, and hence makes a square cut. 
The work is thus continuous, and gees on just so long as there is clay sujoplied. 
The great feature in Pinfold's machine, and which in the opinion of the 
Judges more than counterbalanced the extra power, was the ability to deal 
with clay in a less prepared state, and the economy of labour thereby. 
Whitehead's machine, with two tables and two boxes in the centre, is 
precisely similar in construction to the hand-power machine. One box being 
filled whilst the other is working requires much manual labour and atten- 
tion. The safety gear is here immensely valuable. The principle of these 
machines does not appear so suitable for power as for hand labour. The 
results of the trials are expressed in the table on the following page. 
It must be borne in mind in reference to the above that Pinfold's machine 
carries rollers which consume much power, but save expense in preparation of 
the clay. 
Section XV. — Draining Tools. 
Class 1. — For the class of Braining Tools, £10. 
Award. 
2137. Hunt and Pickering £6 
5774. Clarke and Son 4 
4576. P. Parkes and Co. Highly Commended. 
Out of a class of seven competitors, the above were adjudged most worthy 
of the prizes and commendation. We question the necessity of this prize. 
In earlier days, when thorough drainage was believed in by few, it was 
important to distinguish the class of tools required for really effective work, 
but now experience has brought about a great change of opinion ; and, 
therefore, the Society's money might be saved without detriment to the cause. 
The tools were of the best quality and well mounted. In the case of Hunt and 
Pickering, the iron socket in the grafting tool was continued nearly to the 
handle, this gives much strength. 
Miscellaneous Implements. 
Miscellaneous Atvaj'ds to Agricultural Articles arid essential Improvements 
therein. Ten Silver Medals. 
196. Amies, Barford, and Co., Portable Metal Corn-Grinding Mill with. 
Dressing Apparatus. 
245.)Amics, Barford, and Co., Campains' Patent Anchors for Steam 
24G.j Cultivation. 
5800. Barton, W., Cottagers' Patent Cooking Stove. 
5437. Howard, J. and P., Patent Self-acting Appliance to Horse Piake. 
