DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1312#0034
OP THE WORLD'S INDUSTRY. 19
turnips, eoleworts, &c.; tlms accomplishing fine and deep tillage, without bringing fresh
earth to the surface-land, in preparation for barley and oats. The improvements upon
this scarifier consisted in manufacturing it almost entirely.of wrought-iron, and sus-
pending the frame so that by means of a lever at each end, and corresponding catches,
either side may be raised higher than the other, to suit sloping ground, or to allow one
wheel to run in a furrow whilst the teeth penetrate the cultivated ground to a uniform
depth. The teeth were also of wrought-iron, and were secured to the frame in such
a manner as to allow of varying both their distances from each other, and the depth to
which they are to penetrate, allowing also of setting them to suit surrounding lands.
This instrument is said to effect a saving of time and tillage, improved cultivation,
and involves a less expense in harrowing than under the general methods. The instru-
ment obtained prizes at various agricultural meetings as well as at the Great Exhibition,.
The Circular Saw-Bench and Hurdle-malting Machine. — An ingeniously-contrived
machine, invented by Mr. C. Burrell, of Thetford, Norfolk, was exhibited in Class IX.,
and was deserving of close inspection. It consisted of two parts. On one side was a
saw-bench, with a circular saw to cut out the rails and bars. It had a bar with a parallel
motion to guide the wood to the saw, and to gauge it to the proper thickness. On the
other side were five boring-bits, set at any required distances, and fixed on the axes of cog-
wheels, that are made to revolve by means of a pulley and driving-wheel. The rails to be
morticed are placed in a long box in front of the boring-bits, and firmly held in the box
by means of a clamp at the end. This box is made to slide forward by means of a lever,
and a quadrant pinion and rack-motion attached to each end. When the lever is pulled
towards the attendant, it moves the box with the rail close up to the boring-bits, which,
upon being set in motion, instantly bore five holes through the rail. The box with the rail
is then made to move sideways, when five other holes are cut through the same rail.
The rail is then gradually moved back again, and the bits revolving cut out the inter-
vening wood left between the two holes, and perfect the mortices. The edges of the bars
are then cut with the machine, and they are ready for making hurdles.
The first place, however, among the agricultural machinery that was exhibited in the
Crystal Palace, must be ceded to our Transatlantic cousins. In evidence of which we
shall give a short account of M'Cormick's Reaping Machine, which has, for many years,
been in constant use in all the wheat-growing districts of the United States; and,
although numerous attempts have been made to introduce machines of a different
construction, they have failed in every case—this possessing so many and great advan-
tages over its competitors, not only in its manner of cutting, but also in the state in which
it leaves the grain after it is cut. As a labour-saving machine, it has proved itself au
invaluable aid to the already large number of agricultural implements in America; for,
without its aid, it would be impossible to gather the crops of the western states. Why it
has never before been brought under the notice of English farmers is strange, especially
when, as is often the case, labourers have been so scarce. On trial in this country, it was
perfectly successful; and so well were the jury, under whom it was tried, pleased that
they awarded it the great gold medal. The machine has since been making a most
successful tour throughout the:,various counties of England, succeeding everywhere to ad-
miration. We may also add, that the cost of it places it within the reach of all who are
engaged in farming operations.
Messrs. Ransomes and May, of Ipswich, contributed some very excellent specimens
of their manufacture. A plough for two-horse draught, was especially deserving of notice.
At the trial at Southampton it was shown that, by simply changing the mould-board,
it would answer equally well for heavy or for light land; and, upon that occasion, it
obtained the double prize of the Royal Agricultural Society. Several other ploughs
turnips, eoleworts, &c.; tlms accomplishing fine and deep tillage, without bringing fresh
earth to the surface-land, in preparation for barley and oats. The improvements upon
this scarifier consisted in manufacturing it almost entirely.of wrought-iron, and sus-
pending the frame so that by means of a lever at each end, and corresponding catches,
either side may be raised higher than the other, to suit sloping ground, or to allow one
wheel to run in a furrow whilst the teeth penetrate the cultivated ground to a uniform
depth. The teeth were also of wrought-iron, and were secured to the frame in such
a manner as to allow of varying both their distances from each other, and the depth to
which they are to penetrate, allowing also of setting them to suit surrounding lands.
This instrument is said to effect a saving of time and tillage, improved cultivation,
and involves a less expense in harrowing than under the general methods. The instru-
ment obtained prizes at various agricultural meetings as well as at the Great Exhibition,.
The Circular Saw-Bench and Hurdle-malting Machine. — An ingeniously-contrived
machine, invented by Mr. C. Burrell, of Thetford, Norfolk, was exhibited in Class IX.,
and was deserving of close inspection. It consisted of two parts. On one side was a
saw-bench, with a circular saw to cut out the rails and bars. It had a bar with a parallel
motion to guide the wood to the saw, and to gauge it to the proper thickness. On the
other side were five boring-bits, set at any required distances, and fixed on the axes of cog-
wheels, that are made to revolve by means of a pulley and driving-wheel. The rails to be
morticed are placed in a long box in front of the boring-bits, and firmly held in the box
by means of a clamp at the end. This box is made to slide forward by means of a lever,
and a quadrant pinion and rack-motion attached to each end. When the lever is pulled
towards the attendant, it moves the box with the rail close up to the boring-bits, which,
upon being set in motion, instantly bore five holes through the rail. The box with the rail
is then made to move sideways, when five other holes are cut through the same rail.
The rail is then gradually moved back again, and the bits revolving cut out the inter-
vening wood left between the two holes, and perfect the mortices. The edges of the bars
are then cut with the machine, and they are ready for making hurdles.
The first place, however, among the agricultural machinery that was exhibited in the
Crystal Palace, must be ceded to our Transatlantic cousins. In evidence of which we
shall give a short account of M'Cormick's Reaping Machine, which has, for many years,
been in constant use in all the wheat-growing districts of the United States; and,
although numerous attempts have been made to introduce machines of a different
construction, they have failed in every case—this possessing so many and great advan-
tages over its competitors, not only in its manner of cutting, but also in the state in which
it leaves the grain after it is cut. As a labour-saving machine, it has proved itself au
invaluable aid to the already large number of agricultural implements in America; for,
without its aid, it would be impossible to gather the crops of the western states. Why it
has never before been brought under the notice of English farmers is strange, especially
when, as is often the case, labourers have been so scarce. On trial in this country, it was
perfectly successful; and so well were the jury, under whom it was tried, pleased that
they awarded it the great gold medal. The machine has since been making a most
successful tour throughout the:,various counties of England, succeeding everywhere to ad-
miration. We may also add, that the cost of it places it within the reach of all who are
engaged in farming operations.
Messrs. Ransomes and May, of Ipswich, contributed some very excellent specimens
of their manufacture. A plough for two-horse draught, was especially deserving of notice.
At the trial at Southampton it was shown that, by simply changing the mould-board,
it would answer equally well for heavy or for light land; and, upon that occasion, it
obtained the double prize of the Royal Agricultural Society. Several other ploughs