Report on the Trials of Implements at Oxford. 
G23 
that, if desired, the chemical agents may be kept in the water. This apparatus 
was also tested. A pile of deals 21 feet long by 4 feet wide and 6 to 9 feet 
high, were set up on cud, the interstices filled with shavings, and tlie whole freely 
dressed with coal-tar and petroleum spirit. When thoroughly ignited the pump 
was set to work, and the fire was extinguished in less than a minute. The 
charred timber was dressed over again with tar and petroleum, ignited a second 
time, and put out in 45 seconds. The price of this engine is 45?. 10s. This 
is an invention of Mr. W. B. Decks, the manutacturer and improver of the 
" Extincteur." 
Mr. Sinclair also exhibits respirators for smoke, foul air, and choke-damp. 
A large india-rubber air-tight bag, containing a supply of air sufficient for 
respiration during a period of about 20 minutes, is fastened to the back, .and 
furnished with the necessary pipes and valves ; a mask excludes the external 
air from the niouth and nostrils. This apparatus will be found valuable where 
it is necessary to enter a building on fire. 
Mr. Thovms Perkins, of Hitchin, has invented a folding shaft to be attached 
to the near side of the pole of reaper or mower, in connection with a fixed shaft 
on the off side. When travelling, and one horse only being required, the shaft 
turns up close to and above the pole, being secured in its place by a bolt through 
a bracket. When brought down for work, position is secured by a shoulder 
on the plate. Another feature in Mr. Perkins's arrangement is an adjustible 
back band, one chai)i passing through a loop on pole which is common to both 
shafts ; the proportionate length is adaptable according to the height of the horse, 
Working by shafts, the driver can be seated on the pole immediately between 
his horses, being protected from the rake arms by a light iron shield, which also 
affords a rest to the back. The advantages of working in shafts are manifest ; 
we secure steadiness in traction ; the weight is removed from the horses' 
shoulders to their backs, and the machine can be backed and turned round 
with greater facility. The price of the pair of shafts, whicli'are made of hollow 
iron, varies from 21. 10s. to 21. 13s. ; the folding-shafts only 1?. 10s. to 11. lis. Gd. 
each. It will be remembered that Hornsby and Sons introduced the shaft on 
the off-side, which they considered a great imiH'ovement. If this be so, we 
cannot question the addition of Mr. Perkins being in the right direction. The 
judges highly commend this invention. 
Traction-engines, suitable for agricultural purposes, will come under con- 
sideration next year. The Judges, however, considered that Thomson's 
road-steamer, as a comparative novelty, and a new engine on springs, by John 
Fowler and Co., of Leeds, were deserving of high commendation, omitting to 
notice, until too late, the admirable 5 horse-power engine of Aveling and 
Porter, which was employed in carrying out the horse-gear experiments, and 
which, from its price and capabilities, is very suitable for farm use. It is, 
therefore, at their request we add a description of the Eochester engine. 
In Thomson's road-steamer No. 6747, the novelty consists in the use of india- 
rubber tires to the wheels. The property of the india-rubber to flatten under the 
load, and its enormous elasticity, enables the engine to travel over rough and 
uneven surfaces, and it is said even over soft ground, with great facility and 
with smoothness. Some rather exaggerated statements appeared in the ' Times ' 
and other papers as to the capabilities of the engine. The admirable action of 
the india-rubber tire is unquestionable ; its durability has to be proved. It is 
admitted that the very best material is required, and we fear the o.xidation 
would be considerable, especially in contact with acids. The tire has been 
protected to a considerable extent by the addition of a flexible steel 
envelope. The wheel consists of a broad iron tire, with narrow flanges, per- 
forated with small holes, which allow of circulation of air, and so keep the 
rubber from adhering to the wheel. The india-rubber ring is 12 inches 
bioad by 5 inches deep, kept in place by the flanges ; over this is an endless 
chain of steel plates, each plate being about 4 inches wide and placed at 
VOL. VI. — S. S. 2 N 
