Report on tite Trials of Implements at Oxford. 527 
80 lbs., of which the boiler is ca]iable. The ])(!culiarities of this en<;;ine, as differing 
from tlio ordinary traction-engine of this firm, are, the substitution of gearing 
for pitch chain in driving gear, and tlie absence of brackets to carry the shaftings. 
The side-plates of the firebox-casings are continued backwards, and between them 
is bolted a stiff cast-iron frame. This is a great improvement, giving great 
steadiness, and avoiding risk of accident from the tearing out of the brackets. 
The reversing gear is simiilc and inexpensive, and also acts, to a limited extent, 
as an expansive gear. It consists of an eccentric, mounted on a sleeve, capable 
of being turned on the crauk-sliaft by means of a lever, having a pin entering 
a spiral slot cut in the sleeve. Price 260Z. The perfect control of the engine 
by tlie attendant was seen in the work done during the horse-gear experiments, 
the object being to have a perfectly steady power. And this was so much the 
case, that the points of the spring dynamometer remained stationary, or only 
varied within very small limits. 
Messrs. Ilomshy and Sons, of Grantham, show an adjustible com-screen, 
with blower and dressing-apiiaratus, which is a very useful combination, as 
for an outlay of ISl. 18s. the fiirmer gets the use of three distinct machines, 
separately, if desired, or as a screen and blower combined, or a screen and 
ilressing-machine. To use the machine as a blower, the riddle-shoe is removed 
and its gearing thrown out of motion by a drop-fork. The hopper has two 
moveable side-plates, contracting the mouth so as to deliver the feed within the 
the area of the riddle ; these are removed for blowing, and the corn is spread over 
a larger area, and is consequently acted upon more evenly by the blast, which 
can be regulated at will. In winnowing, stones, &c., are completely removed. 
The hind legs of the frame run on cast-iron wheels, and by handles in front one 
man can move the machine with ease. The corn, after being winnowed or 
blown, enters the mouth of an adjustible screen, and is separated according to 
the size of the grain by the expansion or contraction of a wire-mesh, effected 
by a strong spring working in a hollow shaft. This improvement was highly 
commended, as also a new screen shown by TF. Rainforth and Son, of Bray- 
ford Head, Lincoln, in which the screen consists of corrugated tinned wire, 
No. 17 gauge. The mesh is 5 inch, originally square, but converted by 
pressure into a diamond form. The frame is composed of 3 strong steel rings, 
having a groove sufficiently deep to receive and retain the wire-screen. Thus 
it is practicable, to have one-half the screen of a different mesh to the 
other; this, however, is not generally required. The shaft, or axle, is l-|inch, 
partly hollowed out to carry the screw by which the screen is adjusted. No 
tying of the wire and no springs are required. The price varies from 12?. to 
181., according to the diameter of the cylinder. 
The Judges were precluded from noticing the numerous novelties in double 
ploughs that formed so conspicuous a feature of the show, inasmuch as these 
implements will form the subject of trial next or the following year ; but an 
adaptation by 3Iessrs. G. W. Hurray and Co., of Banff, in which the first 
plough was replaced by a powerful subsoiling tine, was considered worthy of 
high commendation. A strong malleable cast-iron bracket is attached to the 
beam. The subsoil tine is carried by a joint and stud proportionately strong. 
The depth is regulated by the fore-wheel, and the tine pirevented from bury- 
ing itself and turning over by a stay on the bracket. A lever handle within 
reach of the ploughman enables him to take the tine up, or assist its entrance 
into the subsoil. The tine is fitted with a shoe 6 inches wide. The great advan- 
tage of this combination is that the subsoiled ground is immediately covered 
by the plough, and thus the effects cannot be interfered with by horse pres- 
sure. Without a proper trial, it is not always possible to judge of efficiency ; 
but, looking at the strength of the various parts, we have no doubt the 
results will prove satisfactory. The price is rather more than the additional 
metal justifies, viz. 161. 16s. 
Whilst on the subject of ploughs we must notice article 4201, an improved 
