The engine was tried at Oxford, drawing a 4-furrow plough. The land was very dry, and the impression made on the surface by the wheels was not great, even when taken over the fresh furrow. A great width of headland was necessary in order to get the plough round; and we are inclined to think that on a soft sticky surface great power would be consumed in moving the engine, and that even with india-rubber wheels direct traction is not so economical as a wire rope. The engine exhibited at Oxford was 8 horse-power nominal, the cylinders being 6 inches by 10; the weight, in work, 6 tons; and the price at Edinburgh 6007. The load such an engine can draw on an ordinary road depends upon the inclines: if nothing above 1 in 30, 18 tons; if 1 in 12, then only 12 tons. We believe that an omnibus has been constructed and is at work between Leith and Edinburgh; and, should the india-rubber prove sufficiently durable, it is quite probable that much may be done in this direction. The engine travels at 6 to 7 miles an hour, and runs like a carriage on springs.

Fig. 18.-Section through hind axle of Fowler's Traction Engine on Springs, No. 2811.

account of the action of the spring interfering with the driving-gear. The manner in which this difficulty has been surmounted will be understood by reference to the following drawing, which is a section through the hind axle.

Fig. 19.

aa is a large spring resting on the hind axle, b, to which the boiler is firmly suspended by a strong link, c. The brackets, dd, are bolted to the boiler, and take hold of the axle by means of slotted openings, through which the axle passes; this allows of an up and downward motion of the axle, according to the pressure placed on the spring a. The brackets have also a cylindrical portion surrounding the square slots, through which the axle, b, passes (vide sketch, Fig. 19). This is turned, and forms the centre pin or stud, round which the two last spur-wheels of the road-motion gear are turning.

The road-wheels, which are

Fig. 20.-Section of the front axle of Fowler's loose on the hind axles, are conTraction Engine.

し

either Thomson's or Aveling's inventions. nominal, and costs 400l.

nected with these spur-wheels by means of pins, ee, which can be taken out on one or the other side if the engine is required to turn very sharp corners.

It is thus evident that the hind axle will move up and down in the slotted brackets according to the play and the vibrations of the spring, whilst the driving spurwheels will continue to gear into the corresponding pinion undisturbed by the action of the spring. This is a very ingenious arrangement, which appeared to the Judges to answer perfectly.

The front axle rests on a spiral spring, which is placed in the cylindrical portion of the cast-iron bracket supporting the smoke-box end of the boiler, as shown in the following section.

The ability for rapid change of direction is not so great as in The engine is of 8 horse-power

Although the Miscellaneous Judges omitted to notice Aveling and Porter's nominal 5-horse power Traction-Engine, Article No. 6653, which was so usefully employed as the power in the horse-gear trials, we have been requested to explain that this was entirely an oversight, which was only discovered when the awards had been completed, and therefore not in any way to be considered as disparaging to this engine, of which they entertain a very favourable opinion. Without the test of actual comparison and experiment it would be unwise to pronounce an opinion as to the relative merits of the different traction-engines which appeared at Oxford, more especially since this class will come into competition next year. The engine before us, of which a side-view is given in fig. 2, p. 462, is noticeable for the small space it occupies, for its lightness, and for the actual power of which it is capable, consequent on great strength. Mr. Aveling worked the engine with a break on the fly-wheel, and showed a power of 10 horses, with a pressure of from 55 to 60 lbs. per square inch. Hence it is quite reasonable to expect a result equal to 15-horse power, under a pressure of about

80 lbs., of which the boiler is capable. The peculiarities of this engine, as differing from the ordinary traction-engine of this firm, are, the substitution of gearing for pitch chain in driving gear, and the absence of brackets to carry the shaftings. The side-plates of the firebox-casings are continued backwards, and between them is bolted a stiff cast-iron frame. This is a great improvement, giving great steadiness, and avoiding risk of accident from the tearing out of the brackets. The reversing gear is simple and inexpensive, and also acts, to a limited extent, as an expansive gear. It consists of an eccentric, mounted on a sleeve, capable of being turned on the crank-shaft by means of a lever, having a pin entering a spiral slot cut in the sleeve. Price 260l. The perfect control of the engine by the attendant was seen in the work done during the horse-gear experiments, the object being to have a perfectly steady power. And this was so much the case, that the points of the spring dynamometer remained stationary, or only varied within very small limits.

Messrs. Hornsby and Sons, of Grantham, show an adjustible corn-screen, with blower and dressing-apparatus, which is a very useful combination, as for an outlay of 187. 18s. the farmer gets the use of three distinct machines, separately, if desired, or as a screen and blower combined, or a screen and dressing-machine. To use the machine as a blower, the riddle-shoe is removed and its gearing thrown out of motion by a drop-fork. The hopper has two moveable side-plates, contracting the mouth so as to deliver the feed within the the area of the riddle; these are removed for blowing, and the corn is spread over a larger area, and is consequently acted upon more evenly by the blast, which can be regulated at will. In winnowing, stones, &c., are completely removed. The hind legs of the frame run on cast-iron wheels, and by handles in front one man can move the machine with ease. The corn, after being winnowed or blown, enters the mouth of an adjustible screen, and is separated according to the size of the grain by the expansion or contraction of a wire-mesh, effected by a strong spring working in a hollow shaft. This improvement was highly commended, as also a new screen shown by W. Rainforth and Son, of Brayford Head, Lincoln, in which the screen consists of corrugated tinned wire, No. 17 gauge. The mesh is inch, originally square, but converted by pressure into a diamond form. The frame is composed of 3 strong steel rings, having a groove sufficiently deep to receive and retain the wire-screen. Thus it is practicable, to have one-half the screen of a different mesh to the other; this, however, is not generally required. The shaft, or axle, is 17 inch, partly hollowed out to carry the screw by which the screen is adjusted. No tying of the wire and no springs are required. The price varies from 127. to 187., according to the diameter of the cylinder.

The Judges were precluded from noticing the numerous novelties in double ploughs that formed so conspicuous a feature of the show, inasmuch as these implements will form the subject of trial next or the following year; but an adaptation by Messrs. G. W. Murray and Co., of Banff, in which the first plough was replaced by a powerful subsoiling tine, was considered worthy of high commendation. A strong malleable cast-iron bracket is attached to the beam. The subsoil tine is carried by a joint and stud proportionately strong. The depth is regulated by the fore-wheel, and the tine prevented from burying itself and turning over by a stay on the bracket. A lever handle within reach of the ploughman enables him to take the tine up, or assist its entrance into the subsoil. The tine is fitted with a shoe 6 inches wide. The great advantage of this combination is that the subsoiled ground is immediately covered by the plough, and thus the effects cannot be interfered with by horse presWithout a proper trial, it is not always possible to judge of efficiency; but, looking at the strength of the various parts, we have no doubt the results will prove satisfactory. The price is rather more than the additional metal justifies, viz. 167. 16s.

sure.

Whilst on the subject of ploughs we must notice article 4201, an improved

ridging plough, which was highly commended. Shown by Southwell and Co., of Rugeley. The mechanism by which the angle of the breasts is altered is simple-consisting of a shaft fixed on two uprights between the sole and beam, furnished with two arms, and working from a central rod by a universal joint. The ploughman acts by a handle and catch on the cross-bar, by which he can fix the position of the mould-boards, rendering them rigid.

Barrows and Stewart, of Banbury, was highly commended for a 4-wheeled windlass for steam cultivation, with one leverage for reversing the drums; the same action that raises one drum lowers the other. This is effected by having the axles in two planes, connected by a crank. On the central frame, and immediately below this crank, is a half circular rest, on which the crank travels. The shaft out of gear rests on the lower part of the circle, the shaft in gear occupies the upper portion, the lever handle being kept in position by a bolt. The windlass is carried on a strong oak frame; the centre bearing having to sustain great weight, is braced by a T shaped iron girder, placed under the woodwork. The drums are supported by a double set of curved wroughtiron spokes. The spur wheel, which is very strong, is bolted to the drum, and can be readily detached. Several of these windlasses are at work. The price, without ropes, is 757. The merit of this arrangement consists in the saving of manual labour, one man being able to work both the windlass and engine. Thomas Baker, of Compton, Newbury, showed a useful tumbler or tipcart, suitable for removal of nightsoil, liquid manure, &c. The barrel is hung on the frame, 3 inches behind the centre of the wheels. The frame is of H iron. The plates 5 inches deep, and rib 1. The axle is turned and driven into a socket below the frame; keyed through by a steel pin thick, with a turned collar in front. The advantage of placing the barrel behind the wheels is, that the load on the horses back is reduced, the barrel acting as a counterbalance to the shafts. The arrangement for tipping is simple and efficient. The wheels are fitted with iron naves and strong tires. Price 177. Highly commended.

The Beverley Iron and Waggon Company were highly commended for a manual delivery reaping-machine, fitted with Norfolk's patent self-acting tipping platform. The delivery is behind, by means of an ordinary hinged open platform; but instead of being held up and let down by the workman's foot, Fig. 21.-Norfolk's Self-acting Apparatus for tipping platform of Manual Delivery Reaping Machine, No. 1513.

A-Position of Cam when the platform is elevated.
B.-Position of Cam when the platform is down.

this is automatic by the following simple arrangement:-A crescent-shaped cam is driven direct from the driving-wheel, being alterable as to speed by change of cog-wheel; this acts upon an iron half-circular upright attached to the platorm; when the circumference of the cam is in contact with the

upright, the latter is pushed forward into a slanting position, the platform is elevated, and remains so until the circular portion leaves company, when the upright returns to its original position, the platform drops, and remains down until acted upon by another revolution of the cam. The preceding sketches will illustrate the action.

The improvement claimed is, reducing the work of the attendant, who, getting a better purchase from which to work his collecting rake, can give all his attention to one object, and is more likely to be able to get rid of a big crop. This is an important point.

In the event of it being desirable to clear the platform more frequently, as in a very heavy crop, the speed of the crescent can be increased; but at the same time it is clear that the period during which the platform remains on the ground is lessened, and therefore the difficulty of clearing is increased. How far this is a serious objection only a trial could determine. The additional machinery is very small, and the price of the reaper complete is 157., which is a moderate sum.

T. McKenzie and Sons, Dublin, exhibited a mower and reaper knife grinder and rest, which was highly commended, consisting of a wooden frame supporting a 22-inch grindstone, with bevelled edges. A crank from the spindle of the grindstone propels a reciprocating "Wishatta" stone, the under surface of which has two faces sloping from the centre to fit the angle of the knife. The knife is held in position by a pinching-screw, the reciprocating stone is worked by a handle. The grindstone acting as a flywheel, any pressure that may be required can be applied; and for such knives as have the blades attached to the upper surface of the bar it is an excellent little tool. In addition, we find a punch, chisel, file, and hammer supplied for the sum of 31.

Thomas Corbett, of Shrewsbury, has introduced several improvements into the broadcast barrow distributor for clover and grass seeds. Instead of the shifting circular plates, with perforations attached to the under side of the box, to give more or less feed, we have a slide in two parts, meeting at the centre of the box and fixed by a bolt working in a slot of sufficient length to allow one-half of the drill to be closed, in case at the end of the field a narrow portion remains to be sown. Another advantage of the continuous slide is the certainty with which the box can be adjusted. The box is hung on 2 iron brackets, and is thrown out of gear by elevating the box. Turnips can be distributed; this is effected by extra holes in the slides. Price 31. 10s.

J. McKenzie's drill for mangold or turnips on the ridge, which was highly commended at Manchester, has been considerably improved, and is now commended for the improvements. The drill consists of 2 sliding barrels on shaft, the surface of the barrels having channels of different sizes, according to the seed to be sown; the action depends upon which portion of the barrel occupies the centre of the seed-box. One improvement consists in the substitution of springs with stud fitting into grooves on the barrel, in place of a pinchingscrew; when the spring is raised, the barrel slides to and fro as required. The driving-power is obtained from the rollers, which cover in the seed by means of an endless india-rubber round band, working off a pulley on to a grooved cone, adjustible for three different speeds. The simplicity of the arrangement and the quality of the workmanship renders this a most excellent machine.

Henry Denton, of Wolverhampton, was commended for 1477, chain-harrow on a carriage the horse working in shafts, and the harrow, for transit, wound round a roller on an axle, which has been considerably improved since Manchester principally in the winding being made self-acting by clutch-gearings. When the roller is thus connected with the wheel, the horse drawing forward causes the harrow to be wound up, an operation which was formerly done by hand. The bar at the end of the harrow, to give proper weight to the harrow, is now jointed.

Messrs. Holmes and Sons introduced a novel arrangement in a corn-clevator.