426 : QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Ocr., 1899. 
A BICYCLE SHEEP-SHEARER. 
Av- the late meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, held at 
Maidstone, amongst other new agricultural implements exhibited was one for 
clipping horses and shearing sheep, of which latter machine the British Trade 
Journal reports :— ‘ 
The silver medal of the Royal Agricultural Society was awarded to the 
Barton-Gilette Horse-clipping and Sheep-shearing Campa for their “ Bicyele 
Shearer.” This machine is constructed to shear two sheep or clip two horses 
at the same time, and the necessary driving power is given by a lad seated at 
the rear of the machine, pedalling the driving-wheel in cycling fashion. The 
machine, being fitted with ball bearings in all parts where friction may be thus 
lessened, enables a boy of fourteen to drive it with ease. Considerable interest 
in this exhibit was manifested by the judges, stewards, and the general public. 
It may be mentioned that the model “ A” machine referred to has been sold to 
His Highness the Khedive of Egypt. It is fitted with an improved sharpening 
wheel, enabling the user to sharpen his sheep knives himself, instead of losing 
time by sending the blades to the maker. 
But the chief attraction of the Barton-Gillette Company’s exhibit was the 
practical demonstrations of machine shearing given at intervals each day. The 
power used for driving was provided by a very pretty little oil engine supplied 
by Messrs. Priestman and Co. On a raised stand—where four men can vee 
at once—the shearers were at work, and the interested crowds saw heavily 
woolled sheep denuded of their fleecy coats in less than five minutes each. 
These machines have been in great demand the past few weeks amongst the 
sheep-farmers of the United Kingdom. The company’s standard horse- 
clipping machines (all these machines are adapted to either shearing or clipping) 
were also shown. That excellent stable requisite, the Model B, has won its own 
way into the Royal stables. The L.C.C. has just placed a large order with the 
company for machines to use in their stables, in addition to those in use by the 
tramway company for the past two seasons. 
In the above report there are two sources of motive power mentioned. 
For, while a boy on a bicycle contrivance supplies power for two shears and 
shearers, oil engines or any other power may He applied to drive any number of 
horse-clippers or sheep-shearing instruments. We necd scarcely say that the 
cutting portion of these instruments is one of the same kind as first invented 
by the Rey. Mr. Bell in the construction of his horse-reaper, and now used for 
mowing grass, cutting hair, clipping horses, and shearing sheep. 
GERMINATING COFFEE SEED. 
A Crntrat African planter writes that some two or three months ago he 
soaked some coffee-berries for planting in nursery; putting them in a 2-lb. tin, 
with water (tight lid). After three or four days they were planted out; but 
some 200 or 800 berries were left in the tin, which contained enough water to 
cover the seeds completely. A full fortnight afterwards he opened the tin, 
examined the seeds, and it appeared that some showed signs of growing. He 
planted them out at once to try and see whether they would really grow and 
thought that, if they did, something interesting may be discovered for minimising 
the heavy expenses connected with watering nurseries for two months and more 
before the longed-for seedlings make their appearance. Some are growing now, 
those planted the third or fourth day being only a few days ahead of them. He 
adds :—“ They would have appeared sooner had the gardener not buried them 
too deep, and, being irrigated, much ground washed and settled on the surface 
into the bargain, which was removed a few days ago, and the coffee made thei 
appearance at once. We must remember that the seeds were in an almost 
airtight tin, and, besides, underjwater, and the tin was kept in a cool place and 
got only a little morning sun.” 
