452 
Inqylement Shotv at Leicester. 
great interest to the lookers-ou. The conditions agreed upon as to the work 
required of them were — three bouts to get into a depth of ten inches ; five 
bouts at ten inches ; and the remainder at twelve. The soil from its appear- 
ance at the surface gave us the idea that it would be the most even and easy to 
work of any we had ap[iointed, but we were immensely surprised to find, at the 
depth of ten inches (which never before had been stirred), a most retentive 
clay with beds of pebbly gravel turning up in huge masses, not even breaking 
in pieces by the action of the ploughs. As may be supposed, this was a 
most severe test for the horses as well as the implements ; but we must make 
mention of the superior work done by a few of them, notwithstanding the 
obstructions. Messrs. Cooke, Hornsby, Eansome, and Howard were selected 
for a second trial ; the conditions being a depth of ten inches, as we found 
that even at this depth the temperament and strength of the horses were 
greatly trespassed upon. The soil was similar to that in the first trials, 
though, if possible, of a more pebbly, cohesive character ; exhibitors pro- 
nouncing it much more difficult ground. Messrs. Kansomc's work was very 
superior to that of all others, turning the furrow, and leaving a better 
horse- walk than any of the rest. We therefore awarded — 
£. 
Messrs. Eansome and Sims (4354) 6 
Highly commending Messrs. Cooke and Co. (111). 
, Class IV. — Swing-Ploughs. 
In dealing with these implements we could not for a moment entertain the 
idea of dividing them into three classes, from the almost utter impracticability 
of a man satisfactorily holding a swing-plough for deep purposes. Indeed, 
with only "General Purpose and Light-land Swing-Ploughs" we shall have 
no small difficulty in ascertaining the iilough's merits; for the character of 
the work so much depends on the efliciency of the ploughman, regardless 
of the mechanical construction of the implement. Wo therefore have divided 
Swing-Ploughs into two classes only : General Purpose and Light-land Ploughs. 
General Purpose Ploughs. 
Swinq-Ploughs. — Seven ploughs were presented for trial in this class, the 
ground being in the same field as, and of similar texture to, that ploughed in the 
first trial of General Purpose Wheel-Ploughs. The conditions arranged were, to 
get into depth of six inches in three bouts : four bouts at six inches ; four at seven 
and a half; and the remainder nine. At the very first outset the stress put on the 
ploughman's abilities — causing one of the crack competitors to say, " I hope 
never again to see a swing-plough trial " — i)roved the accuracy of our idea that we 
cannot, with any degree of positiveness, amve at a just conclusion as to the 
mechanical construction of the implement where so much depends on the 
ability of the ploughman. However, after much patience on our part, and 
incessant jerks up and down of the ploughs when at the depth of nine inches, 
the first trial was ended ; and we must give the ploughmen great credit for their 
work, which on the whole, and especially under the circumstances, was well 
executed. However, as might be supposed, som.e had to be blackballed ; and 
we selected five for a second trial, viz., Messrs. Cooke, Hornsby, Ball and Son, 
Howard, and Eansome, who were required to take four furrows each, at seven 
inches deep. Tliis trial was soon completed, and we awarded the following 
prizes : — 
£ 
Messrs. J. and F. Howard (1217) 8 
Messrs. Eansome and Sims (4351) 4 
Commending Messrs. Cooke and Co. (112). Messrs. Hornsby and Sons 
(1073), Messrs. Pall and Son (1556). 
