Report on the Newcastle Show-yard. 
421 
Before leaving this part of our subject, we would direct attention to the 
wheel fittings and fastenings of Messrs. Seaman and Co., in which arc com- 
bined, strength, simplicity of construction, and saving of friction. The straight 
axle used by Messrs. Bansome and Sims is also strong and simple. The result 
of these trials convinces us, and, we believe, the public also, that cither in 
deep ploughing, or when the land is hard and baked, as it was at Long 
Benton, Wheel Ploughs arc greatly superior to Swing Ploughs. 
Class IV. — Subsoil Ploughs. 
There were six entries in this class. After a careful trial we decided that 
Mr. Bentall's implement (306), price 4?. 4s., was the most efficient, breaking up 
the subsoil thoroughly ; and, consequently, the prize of 10?. was awarded to him. 
We also commended the plough exhibited by Messrs. liansoine and Sims 
(1786), as coming nearest to it in efficiency. 
Class V. — Paring Ploughs. 
There were four entries ; the prize of 1.0?. was awarded to Messrs. Hunt and 
Pickering, for article (1669), price 51. 10s. No premium was offered by the 
Society for diggers, but we believe that a really efficient implement of this kind, 
capable of effecting, by horse power, work similar to that known as " Smash- 
ing " by steam, would prove a boon to small occupiers. We tried five imple- 
ments. Of these we highly commend Cotgreave's Subsoil Fm-land and French 
Plough (1785), price 10?. 10s., as a most efficient implement, which tills and 
pulverizes the soil at one operation, and is highly valuable for a certain class 
of soils. We also commend Pansome and Sims's Solid Beam Iron Plough, V. E. 
(1772), price 5?., as, in some measure, coming up to our idea of a digger. In 
connexion with this kind of work we must notice Messrs. Ilancoclcs Pulverizer 
Plough,(2i5G), price 6?. 10s., to which we awarded a silver medal. We saw this 
implement at work more than once ; although it was not exhibited in this class. 
Messrs. Hancock's idea is to produce a seed-bed at one operation; this 
they effect by attaching to their frame, three separate cutting shares, each fur- 
nished with a short mould-board, the front share entering the soil, say 2 inches, 
the second four, and the third 6 inches, or in this proportion up to whatever 
depth the implement is set. It will be readily understood that the soil thus 
broken up as it were by degrees is rendered very fine and light, and the work 
performed was excellent. We regret that the draught of this implement was not 
compared with that of the ordinary plough working at the same depth. 
With slight modifications, the strengthening of some parts of the imple- 
ment, and the use of malleable iron shares, we believe that Messrs. Hancock 
will have produced an efficient "Smasher," which will prove valuable to those 
who cannot attain to steam cultivation. We also saw at work, and highly 
commended Mr. J. G. Harrison's double Mould-board or ridging Plough 
(3646). This implement was fitted with an improved share, to be used in 
ridging up stubble on strong land. We also had our attention called to a com- 
bined Plough-Harrow and Drill, invented by Mr. L. L. Sovereign, of Canada 
(2421), price 25?., in which there are several points of interest and ingenuity. On 
light land, where a seed-bed is easily made, this may prove a useful implement. 
In conclusion, we beg to tender our thanks to the stewards and their 
assistants (not forgetting Mr. Gibson, our field foreman, who was most 
attentive and active in the performance of his duties) for their attention to all 
our requirements, and especially for the manner in which horses were provided 
for the various trials, by which our work was essentially forwarded. 
Signed Thomas P. Outhwaite. 
Edward Wortley. 
Thomas P. Dods. 
, Ncwcastle-on-Tyne, July 22, 1864. 
