476 
Implerntnt Show at Leicester. 
rope. Working by a strap enables the macliinery to be move readily fixed, 
nice adjustments are not necessary, and an ordinary portable engine can be 
used. 
We have already, when reporting; on Tasker's windlass, entered into the 
consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of driving by a strap. It is 
true that indiarubber, with canvas on it — sucli as is used by Mr. Hayes — will 
resist wet, but it is liable to tear or fret in the edges where it runs throu<;Ii 
the strap-fork ; whilst leather is apt to get very soft, and to stretch in wot 
weather. The framework of the windlass is, as was previously stated, carried 
on four wheels, their axles being at right angles to the central shaft ; there- 
fore when the wheels sink into the ground they are well able to resist the side 
strain of the rope when winding, and do not require the fastenmgs usually 
applied to fix windlasses. 
The drums are very small, the rope, therefore, has to endure a sharp curva- 
ture in winding on. Little or no attention is paid to the coiling, which is, 
consequently, badly done. We have previously alluded to the importance of 
regular coiling, as, if that be not obtained, the friction and wear on the rope are 
largely increased. When at work, both the engine and the windlass vibrate 
much more tlian in any other arrangement that came under our notice. There 
is, moreover, a complication about the windlass that is objectionable. 
It will be seen from the preceding descri[)tion that the power has to pass 
through a train of three wheels, and the short shaft can'ying a pinion at each 
end, previously alluded to, which is thereby subjected to the whole strain of 
the ap]iaratus, and is only provided with one central bearing, which, although 
rather long, is not capable of resisting the strain without very great wear. 
The trial of this apjiaratus was not successful : partly from the absence of 
practical exjierience, the setting down of the tackle proved a most tedious 
business ; when at length ready for work, tlie anchor at either end constantly 
dragged, and the cultivator could not get into the hard ground. The depth did 
not exceed 4 inches, and in many places the surface was merely scratched. 
At last the stoppages were so numerous that the exhibitor discontinued the 
work. 
Lot No. 6. — Fowler and Co.'s Double Drum Engine and Travelling Disc- 
anchor, having already been described, may be but briefly alluded to. 
The work with a 6-tined cultivator was admirable, and confirmed and 
increased the fa\ onrable impression which the preliminary trial had given us. 
After reaching the field, 18j minutes sufficed to get out all the tackle and start 
work. 
As in the case of all Fowler's implements exhibited at Leicester, the trans- 
])ort was effected by the traction engines themselves without the aid of 
iiorses. 
For the area cultivated, the time occupied in such cultivation, the weight 
of earth moved, &c., see the record already in Keport of this engine in Class I. 
Even more than in the case of the clip-drum does the i)riceof this ap])aratus, 
766?., or with the implement 826/., preclude it, in our judgment, from being 
eligible for a prize in Class II. 
This completed the trials in Class II., which, it will be remembered, related 
to " The best application of steam power adapted for occupations of a mode- 
rate size." 
The wording of the prize list being somewhat indefinite, we were left to 
decide what area constituted an " occui)ation of a moderate size." I'eferring 
to the voluminous Reports of the Inspection Committee, it appears that, with 
one or two exceptions, 250 to 300 acres of arable land was the smallest farm 
on which a set of steam cultivating machinery could be profitably emi.)loyed 
without being occasionally let out to other farmers. We assume the smaller 
area of 250 acres as representing occupations of a " moderate size." With such 
