Report on Steam Cultivation at, Ncxvcastlc. 895 
were marked out, lots drawn, and an Opportunity afforded for a preliminary 
trial, in order that those in charge of the machines might see that everything 
was in working order, and that any radically defective apparatus might at once 
be scratched from further competition. The advantage of this plan was again 
evident, two exhibitors, Messrs. Richardson of Linsey Works, Lincolnshire, 
with a new Steam Engine, invented by G. W. Darley, and Fowler's Anchor 
Windlass, &c, and Mr. Collinson Hall, with two 6-horse engines of E. R. and 
F. Turner, of Ipswich, fitted with his polygonal drum, and intended to haul 
the steel-link rope, did not again compete. The novelty in Mr. Richardson's 
engine consists in the boiler being constructed of steel plates, so as to combine 
strength with lightness (his 10-horse engine weighing only 3 tons), and in the 
use of Allen's Patent Cylinders, so constructed as to economise fuel by the 
complete expansion of the steam. This is accomplished without any separate 
expansion- valve, the cylinders being provided with an internal trunk. We 
had no opportunity of judging of the merits of this engine, as the attendants, 
for reasons unexplained, never had it ready for trial. The engines of Messrs. 
Turner, though too small for stiff work, are of ingenious construction, and 
particularly commendable for the simple maimer in which Mr. Hall's drum is 
detached. This is accomplished by removing a pin, when the whole of the 
windlass can be lowered, and the engine is ready for ordinary farm work. 
There are other points in which these pony engines are deserving of notice. 
Locomotion is effected by having two speeds for the pitch-chain, which drive 
one or both hind wheels. The small travelling-wheels in front can, by means 
of a worm-wheel and steering-rod, be locked by the driver at a right angle ; 
the engine can thus be turned in little more than its own length. The 
weight of each engine complete is 4 tons ; the price, with the drum attached, 
325Z. As far as we could ascertain, no great alteration has been made in Mr. 
Hall's invention since the Worcester meeting. The link-chain, which forms 
the chief feature of his system, is constructed in 18-inch lengths of half inch 
steel rod, connected by pairs of plates 6 inches long, held together by rivets. 
Its weight is more than double that of the ordinary wire rope. By some error 
of construction, the drums were not cast true, and varied 3-sixteenths of an 
inch ; consecpiently the projections, instead of receiving the plates, came in 
contact with the rods, and were broken in consequence. This accident was 
repaired, and although Mr. Hall withdrew from competition, his tackle being 
evidently in an unmatured state, we had an opportunity of seeing the appa- 
ratus at work for a short time on Friday. There appeared great friction 
between the angular surface of the drum projections and the plates of the link- 
chain ; had the edges been rounded off, this would have been avoided, and the 
rope would have left the drum without that clinging tendency which must 
have increased the draft. The anchor differs from Fowler's, in not entering 
the ground at all ; its four rather small wheels travelling on lengths of angle 
iron, kept in place by iron struts driven into the ground. These rails are 
easily taken up when clear of the anchor, and relaid in front. The question 
is whether the struts are capable of resisting the strain when the work is 
severe. This anchor is commendable for its simplicity and the ease with 
which it can be moved from field to field. The friction on the joints of the 
rope, and especially 'the rivets, must be very great, and we fear breakages 
would be frequent, from the rope not properly lapping over the projections on 
the drums. This would inevitably happen should any of the rods become 
bent, which might easily occur. The system does not embrace porters, and it 
would have been interesting, had time allowed, to have tested the draft of 
this rope dragging on the surface, against the wire rope properly " portered." 
We were much impressed with the amiability and good temper exhibited by 
Mr. Hall under his trying disappointment. Whilst these preliminary trials 
were in progress, the judges were employed in arranging the fields for the 
