Implement Show at Leicester. 
465 
a pinion on the lower end of an nprifi;lit shaft, driven by bcvil wheels from the 
fly-wheel shaft of the engine, and ])ut in and out of gear by a clutch. 
On the upjier side of tlie drum is a break surface, surrounded by a break 
band, the upper edge of this band is notched to receive a paul, which falls 
into the notches and arrests the band when the drum is paying out, but 
permits the band to revolve freely with the drum when the latter is winding 
in. This automatic arrangement of break band insures a definite strain on the 
tail rope, which strain, however, can be varied (before starting) at pleasure. 
Tliis arrangement being automatic, renders suixTvision by those in attendance 
unnecessary. The coiling of the rope on the drum is also automatic. This is 
performed by a lever, having its fulcrum on a fixed pin attached to the 
framing, and placed below the drum, the inner end of the lever being 
caused to rise and fall by the action of a cam, worked ofl' the drum by spur 
gearing. 
The outer end of the lever projects beyond the circumference of the drum, 
and carries two guide pulleys, between which the rope passes in its way to the 
drum. In this manner, as the guide pulleys rise and lall by the action of the 
cam, they coil the rope on the drum with the greatest regularity, a point 
of very considerable importance, as it saves the machinery from jars in the 
winding on, and the rope from unnecessary wear and tear. The mode of 
working a pair of these traction engines, with their single winding drums, 
is now so generally known, it is almost superfluous to state that in operation 
one engine is upon the one headland and the other on the opjwsite, and that 
the rope is alternately wound and unwound from each engine, carrying the 
plough or cultivating implement with it from headland to headland, the move- 
ment along the headlands being effected by the progressive motion of the 
engines themselves. 
This system, therefore, has the important advantage of doing away with 
all anchor carriages and snatch-blocks. 
It is from this cause, and from the fact of each engine being competent 
to travel about and take its own place, that this system can be got to work 
within from three to five minutes, according to the length of furrow, from the 
time of the engines entering the field. In the present instance, the furrow 
was about 9 chains in length, the engines were placed on the U]3per headland, 
and three minutes sufticed for one engine to traverse the field, laying out 
rope, and drawing the cultivator behind it. 
Experiment No. 1. — A patent balance 5-tined extra strong cultivator, with 
bevel beams, was first tried ; the average measured depth was 7^^ inches, 
corresponding to a weight of 40 stones 4| lbs. per superficial yard, the bottom 
fairly level throughout ; the points on the cultivator being 2i inches wide, 
and made of chilled iron. Owing to the extreme hardness of the bottom, the 
wear on the points was excessive, and three required to be replaced, the change 
occupying 3 minutes, the time required to reverse the implement at the head- 
land varied from 10 to 14 seconds — averaging 12 seconds. 
The rate at which the implement travelled was much less rapid than under 
ordinary conditions ; the average run occupied 3 minutes, or equal to 2 to 2 ^ 
miles per hour. The usual complement of attendants consists of 2 engineers, 
1 ploughman, and two strong lads for the porters, who assist in reversing 
the implement; in addition to the above it is good policy to employ one 
extra man unattached, to generally superintend and lend a baud when 
required. 
The time of working, including setting down, was one hour ; the area dis- 
turbed 3 roods 25 perches, equal to about 9 acres, for a day's work (10 hours) ; 
a good result, the state of the surface being considered. 
Experiment No. 2. — A 7-tined balanced cultivator, 2498, was next worked 
with 6 tines, five actually in work, the sixth running in the furrow steadied 
