Implement Shoto at Leicester. 
477 
occupations as these the original cost of the apparatus becomes veiy important, 
and, in the cousidoi-ation of tliis original cost, there of necessity must be 
weighed the power which the diflerent ploughing systems possess of being 
worked from any ordinary jiortable or traction engine, because at the ])resent 
day many small farms are alreadj^ provided with such engines, and if they 
can bo made available it is clear that the extra outlay for the mere apparatus 
required for cultivation is com[\anitivelj' moderate, amounting only to about 
250Z. or something less. There was not exhibited at Leicester any direct 
sj'stem made up of a travelling anchor and a travelling windlass driven by an 
ordinary poi-table or traction engine ; in the absence of any such arrange- 
ment, and considering all the points we have above alluded to, we are driven 
to the conclusion that the roundabout system which can be worked by an 
ordinary portable engine is the only one exhibited at Leicester which fulfils 
the conditions under which the prizes in Class IL are offered by the Society. 
Whilst expressing this opinion (in explanation of the course we adopted) 
we must not be taken as saying that, in our judgment, the roundabout system, 
under all circumstances, is as good a system of applying steam cultivation as 
is the direct. On the contrary, we believe it might often be more to the 
advantage of farmers holding moderate occupations to combine to purchase a 
set of " direct acting tackle " rather than tliat each man should rely upon the 
roundabout system ; or that it would be to the advantage of each owner to 
hire " direct steam tackle " from those persons who let it out. But, according 
to the instructions contained in the prize list, we were precluded from taking 
these questions into our consideration. 
Bearing in mind the conditions as to the cost of the apparatus, which, in our 
reading, excludes Nos. 4 and 6 from being fit for " occupations of moderate 
size," we were unanimous in awarding the first prize of 50?. to No. 2, Messrs. 
J. and F. Howard, of Bedford ; while the small amount of work done by 
No. 1, the indifferent character of the work of No. 3, and the small amount of 
it, and the withdrawal from the trial of No. 5, prevented our awarding the 
second prize to any of the competitors. (For tabulated statement see 
pp. 478-481). 
Class III. 
The Society wisely placed at the discretion of the Judges the sum of 100?. 
to be divided, as appeared desirable, among Ploughs, Cultivators, Harrows, 
Windlasses, &c. 
The implements were tested, as at Newcastle, by the strain on the hauling 
rope, as indicated by the Newcastle dynamometer. A spring dynamometer 
was hung between the tail-rope and the implement, and thus the amount of 
back strain to be deducted from the gross strain was ascertained. 
Messrs. Howard's Roundabout System was employed throughout to draw 
the implements of the various exhibitors. The qualities of the engine and 
tackle though severely tested, were successful under the test, as after the 
apparatus was once well set, the work proceeded without stojipage. 
PJoiigJis for Steam Power. 
The only competitors in this Class were ^Messrs. Fowler and Messrs. Howard. 
The latter commenced with an enormous spring-balanced, double-acting. 
2-furrow plough, for very deep work (1199), which, we understand, is prin- 
cipally intended for the foreign trade. Owing to the state of the ground, only 
one share and mould-board were employed at each end ; a grand furrow, 12 to 
13 inches deep by 17 inches wide was very well turned ; three observations 
being taken. 
Their 4 -furrow Spring Balance Plough (1198) was not so successful. The 
depth of the furrow varied from 4 to 7 inches ; this was probably due to bad 
