Implement Shoio at Leicester. 
463 
systems and implements (with the exception of the windlasses), we had ample 
means at our disjiosal of arriving at a eorrcct judtiinent. Considering these 
circumstances, and the great expense to which the ISocietj' and the Exhihitors 
would be subjected by a second trial in the autumn, we thought it our duty 
to lay the facts before the Steward';, in order that they might determine 
whether or not it would be expedient to have the double set of trials. 1'hc 
Exhibitors, on being consulted b}' the Stewards, unanimously came to the 
resolution that they did not wish the second trials to be carried out, and 
therefore the Council determined tliat the Leicester trials should be final. 
The progress of steam-cultivation since the trials at Newcastle, in 18G4, has 
been eminently satisfactory, not so much on account of novelties introduced, or 
striicing improvements adopted ; for with the exception of a strengthening and 
perfecting of details, there is in reality little that is new — but because the 
merits of steam-cultivation have become largely understood and appreciated — 
because tenant-farmers occu]:]j-ing areas sufticient for the employment of steam 
have adopted it, and have not only not been disappointed, b>it, on the contrary, 
have found great benefit from its use — -because those occupying smaller farms 
Lave gladly availed themselves of the opportunities of making use of steam- 
power by hire— and because the cereal produce on strong land has manifestly 
increased under the influence of steam-cultivation ; for all and each of these 
reasons we may safely assert that a gi-eat work has been done. 
The elaborate reports of the Inspection Committees appointed by the Society, 
in which are recorded the results of steam-cultivation on 135 selected farms, 
have undoubtedly gone far to open the eyes of the less sanguine and adven- 
turous to the advantages to be reaped from steam-culture. It is a gratifying 
fact suggestive of the influence of the rejiorts, that our principal makers of 
steam-cultivating machinery have been unusually busy during the last ten 
months, and that the home-trade has never hitherto been so active. We may 
fairly assume that steam-cultivation is now a well-established fact, and may 
reasonably conclude that in process of time the steam-engine for cultivating 
purposes will be commonly used upon every farm, and be as thoroughly appre- 
ciated as the thrashing-machine. 
We commenced our duties on Wednesday, July 8tb, by selecting from the 
Show^-yard such machinery for steam-cultivation as we deemed it desirable to 
test ; we then adjourned to the trial-fields situate about one mile from the 
Show-ground, in the parishes of Knighton and Aylestone. The fields were 
generally small, varying from 7 to 15 acres ; the surface tolerably level. 
Under ordinarj' conditions the soil would have come under the description 
of strong loam with stones, and would not have been considered stiff, or hy 
any means difficidt to move. But having been undisturbed since the pre- 
vious corn was sown, and being thoroughly baked by the extraordinary 
heat of the weather, its hardness was excessive ; and the working of it 
afibrded an admirable test of the strength of the implements, as well as the 
power of the engines. About 100 acres were devoted to steam-cultivation, 
and the work of the first day consisted in selecting various fields for the 
different trials, marking out lots, and getting the machinery into place, our 
directions being admirably carried out by Mr. Elphick, the field-steward. 
As at Newcastle a preliminary trial was considered necessary, in order to 
ascertain the peculiarities of the various systems, and to decide as to which 
class each came under, if a further trial were reqiured. In these prelimi- 
nary trials it was jiroposed to allow one hour to each, and to notice the area, 
the depth, and the quality of the work. 
At this stage it may be well to emimerate the various systems which entered 
into competition. 
