576 Weather- Wisdom and the Harvest. [October, 
perfume-plants, pot-herbs, See., the “ Gillwell Dryer ” has a 
future before it. The only decided failure which Mr. Gibbs 
has hitherto encountered has been in the attempt to convert 
grapes into raisins. 
The least satisfactory feature connected with this invention 
has been the sluggishness of the public to accept the benefits 
offered. That the practical application of the principle to 
all the various conditions of the question did not suggest 
itself to the inventor in a moment may well be believed. 
To our personal knowledge Mr. Gibbs has devoted twenty of 
the best years of his life to perfecting his machine, simpli- 
fying its movements, and reducing the cost of construction. 
Those who know the expense of mechanical experimentation 
will feel little surprised if told that he has expended not less 
than £iq,ooo upon this his life-task. The Society of Arts 
awarded him their gold medal and 50 guineas in the very 
outset of his researches. The Highland and Agricultural 
Society of Scotland paid a similar tribute to his merit. The 
Press has given him its support, and not a few noblemen 
and gentlemen — we may mention the Dukes of Northum- 
berland and Manchester, Lord Ashburton, and some of the 
leading landowners in many different counties — have 
adopted the Dryer, and expressed their unqualified satis- 
faction. But the great mass of the agricultural interest 
— landlords as well as tenant-farmers — still hold aloof, and 
allow their crops to perish, season after season, with an 
apathy that is rather ridiculous than sublime. That the 
inventor will yet be recognised as a great national benefactor, 
of more value to mankind than a score of orators and agi- 
tators, is certain ; but the long delay is poor encouragement 
for inventors, 
The agricultural interest has no cause to despair. Mr. 
Prout has shown them how wheat may be grown so as to 
pay, foreign competition notwithstanding ; and Mr. W. A. 
Gibbs has taught them how their crops may be safely 
gathered in, in spite of unfavourable weather. Will they 
accept the lesson ? 
