SECTION XII.-CLASS 1.

TABLE XX.-RESULTS WITH COPROLITE MILLS (Crusher).

TABLE XXI.-RESULTS WITH COPROLITE MILLS (Grinding Mill).

on the stone spindle. The bedstones are firmly secured in cast-iron coned frames of great strength, and fitted with the necessary adjustment screws. From the solidity of all the parts, and the truth of the workmanship, these mills work quietly, and make a very fine sample, a point of great importance. Attached to the mill is a crane, which is found absolutely necessary, in order to take up the stones. The Judges saw the machinery in operation, and were highly satisfied with the quality of the work, and accordingly awarded the money, 107., placed at their disposal, after having seen the nature and quantity of work in a given time, particulars of which will be gathered from the Table.

The cultivation of flax in England is once again occupying attention, whilst in Ireland linen is the staple manufacture, and employs a large portion of the industrial population of the North. It is agreed on all sides that the crop is easily grown, allows of a considerable range of soil and climate, and, wherever a market exists, pays well. Whatever the practice in Ireland as to home manufacture, we are certain that in this country it will not answer; and that, except a demand exists for the crop as it grows, it cannot be cultivated. The high price of labour necessitates its most economical application, which can only be done by the use of machinery on a large scale. The sum of 107. was placed at the disposal of the Judges, and this they awarded to John Eliot Hodgkin of West Derby, whose machinery was much admired, and merits a short description; his only competitor being Messrs. Dening and Co. of Chard, whose breaker was of a very simple description-viz., a frame carrying two wooden rollers fluted with iron, driven by fly-wheel and handle. The straw is held by one workman and forwarded through the rollers as required, whilst the other turns the handle of fly-wheel, and by making half-a-turn and reversing, a rubbing action is given to the rollers, which to some extent broke the wood, but did not remove it to any degree. The work was very inferior to that by Mr. Hodgkin's machines. Two hand and four power breakers were exhibited by the latter.

No. 7202, to which the prize of 47. was awarded, is priced at 97. 9s. in the Catalogue, invented by Edward Brasier, and improved by the exhibitor; consists of a central fluted roller, surrounded by three smaller rollers, which revolve by friction from the central roller, and are held down in place by springs. The motion is affected by a double ratchet, which gives reciprocating motion, rubbing the flax backwards and forwards, or else passing it through, at the will of the attendant. The ratio between backward and forward stroke can be altered by an adjustible cam. The rollers are fluted out of solid metal, and the pressure on the flax is regulated by indiarubber springs. The feed is 16 inches wide; the action is perfect, not only in consequence of the breaking of the shive or woody matter, but because a large proportion is actually separated and falls down to the ground, leaving very little to be removed by the scutching blades. A gentle blow from the latter completes the process, and the waste arising from tow is reduced to a minimum. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of good breaking, as the foundation of economical results.

*For steam or horse power.

+ For hand power.

The second hand-machine, No. 7201, as represented in our illustration, is similar to the above, only the rollers are 14 inches wide in the feed, and an independent scutcher is attached. The ratchet handle works the rollers, the wheel is for turning the scutching blades; the price is 137. 13s. 40 to 50 lbs. of clean flax can be prepared in a day.

From

No. 7197.-Two-horse-power machine (including patents by Brasier, Hodgkin, and Bremmè), is a beautiful machine, consisting of a large central roller, round which three smaller ones revolve by contact. Reciprocating motion is given by an eccentric, and forward motion by a small pinion wheel; the pinion moving forward slowly at each stroke of the eccentric, and finally completing the revolution of the central roller. The machine is either sent out on wheels as a portable mill, or else without. The prices are respectively 701. and 551.

No. 7199 is not so large, costs only 427., and has a radial slot to alter pinions for speed, so that according to the nature of the straw the proportion between the reciprocating and forward motion can be regulated. This machine was selected by the Judges for the first prize of 67.

No. 7196 is a larger machine than any, having six rollers round the central roller, but precisely similar in construction. Price, 80%. This is adapted

to a large manufactory. The broken flax is delivered on to a revolving platform.

No. 7198. Price, 351.-The mechanism by which the rollers work is somewhat different. Reciprocating motion is obtained by three cogged wheels working round a central wheel, and by sun and planet motion causing cranks to revolve as they pass round the central wheel, giving backward and forward motion. This has two top and two bottom rollers, of different pitch. This machine has a quicker and more jumping motion, and the great friction evolves considerable heat, which is of importance in working hemp. The scutching machinery, attached in some cases to the rollers, completed the work so effectually commenced by the rollers.

The sum of 157. was placed at the disposal of the Judges without restriction as to the kind of machine, whether to be worked by hand or other power. In the class of hand power machines only three makers presented themselves, viz. Whitehead, Page, and Kearsley. At Oxford care had been taken to have a quantity of clay suitable for the work. On former occasions, the results have not been satisfactory from inattention to this important condition. Two proficients from the neighbouring brickyard were employed to work over the clay. Then each exhibitor was requested to screen some clay, notes being taken of time and power, and then of the number of 2 inch tiles made during a minute's run, the hand dynamometer being used. Kearsley, whose machine was roughly made, though probably of a useful character, had not provided a screen, consequently did not go to trial. The following tables on p. 513 give the results as regards Whitehead and Page.

Whitehead's machine, price 247., commended itself in two respects. The first a provision to prevent accident-the piston cannot be driven home too far; at the end of the rack two cogs are left out and replaced by a movable stop; when this point is reached the teeth of the pinion pass over this space, and the piston remains stationary, but when reversed, bite, and so draw back the piston. Secondly, the manner in which the screen or die frame are attached by a sliding clutch on the top, and by a groove on the bottom of the machine, together with the manner of fastening the lid, which is simple and efficient. Width of mouth is 16 by 83 inches high. These machines have a high practical character, being found to stand rough usage. The Judges

awarded 77.

Messrs. Page and Co.'s machine, price 201., is well got up. The screen and die are kept in place by a pin at the bottom, forming a hinge, and at the top by two keys-a faulty arrangement, as was seen during the experiments, one of the pins becoming loose. Moreover, more time was occupied in altering than in Whitehead's. Throws out of gear in order to return the piston after exhausting the box. The mouth is rather larger, and Mr. Page can make different sizes, up to 12, and even 15 inches. The 2-inch pipes were fairly made, but the clay was less screened.

As regards the comparative merits of hand and power machinery for tile making, it must be noted that two-inch pipes can be made, rolled, and placed

*For steam or horse power.

+ For hand power.

on shelves, and the clay brought from the pug mill for from 2s. 3d. to 2s. 9d. a thousand, and we much question if the work can be done cheaper and as well by any power machine. It is quite a different question with bricks. The weight of clay is so much greater that it must be slow work by hand, and machinery answers well because it is not necessary to have such accuracy. In Pinfold's largest machine-a splendid affair-the cutting apparatus is driven by gearing from the machine, and cuts as the clay is travelling, so no stop is necessary. The cut is a little straggling owing to the resistance of the clay and the

spring of the wire, but it is not at all the worse, but rather an advantage, as the mortar takes a better hold; but with pipes a clean cut is most important, otherwise continuity cannot be maintained. Pinfold's machines are so made that they can deal with clay in a moderately dry state, and for brickmaking it is not necessary (though it is generally desirable) to prepare clay in any way. The large machine has a patent self-acting feed, consisting of powerful screws which, as they work the clay forward, subject it to the action of a pug mill. The rollers are provided with a safety brake, so that if any stone or tool got in, the machine is brought to a standstill. The rollers are powerful, and great care is taken to lubricate the clay and prevent undue friction by a proper supply of water. The self-acting cutter, which is very ingenious, consists of a large wheel with