1 Ocr., 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 383 
A POTATO DIGGER, SORTER, AND GATHERER. 
Most farmers in this country have seen and many have used the potato- 
digging plough. In the old country much use is made of an invention which 
not only digs, but gathers and grades the tubers, filling them into hampers 
attached to the machine, as shown in the illustration which we take from the 
Farmer and Stockbreeder. The saving of labour and time by its use is very 
considerable, only two men being required to work it. It is manufactured by 
a Sheffield firm (Messrs. J. Crowley and Co.). We are not aware that it has 
made its appearance in this State as yet, but it would appear to be the very» 
thine for extensive growers of potatoes in a country where the farmers often 
find it difficult to obtain a supply of good hands at the right time. 
The potatoes are raised in the usual way, but a grid is placed behind the 
share which prevents the potatoes from falling to the ground. As the forks 
revolve, the potatoes are thrown on to the elevator, which is continually 
travelling upwards. 
The potatoes, culms, and weed are carried forward on to a secondary 
elevator, which has wide divisions. The potatoes fall through these wide: » 
divisions on to a riddle below, the large being delivered into a hamper on one 
side of the machine, and the smaller ones, which fall through the top part of the 
riddle, are delivered into a hamper on the opposite side. In this way small and 
large are separated effectually. : 
The riddle has a cross action, and by this means the soil thrown up with 
the potatoes is thoroughly pulverised or riddled, and falls on to the ground. 
The weeds and culms are carried over the top of the second elevator, and 
fall in-a row upon the ground in the rear of the machine. When the hampers 
are full a shuttle or door is shut down at the mouth of the riddle to prevent 
further potatoes falling while the hampers are being changed. 
The machine requires only two men to work it (with the assistance of a 
boy to look after the hampers), one man to drive, and another to follow to 
replace the hampers as they are filled. 
Tt will thus be seen that all extra hands usually required to gather up the 
potatoes as they are scattered upon the ground are dispensed with, and so a 
very considerable saying is gained. 
'A LIGHT GERMAN SULKY PLOUGH. 
Mr. H. Newport, Instructor in Coffee Culture, sends us a sketch of a 
German sulky plough, of which he says :— 
This plough, sketch of which I enclose, can be seen working on the 
selection of Mr. J. Baumann, on the Daintree River. The proprietor speaks 
very highly of the work it does, the ease with which it can be used, and the 
unusual cheapness, combined with strength and good workmanship. 
