IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY.

Press, Volume XX, Issue 2305, 20 December 1872, Page 3

IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY.

In the department Implements there were very few exhibits, but at least two of them from their importance to agriculturists demand more than a passing notice. The first of these was a broadcast sowing machine or drill, known as. Craemmarck b patent, and recently imported into Canterbury by Mr R. B. Willis. This machine is constructed on the" Suffolk, drill principle, having cups and elevator's. The seed falls through small tubes into an oblong case, which is filled with stops resembling the keys of a pianoforte, and by this channel the seed is well and evenly'distributed on *the surface of the ground. One great, advantage of this invention is that frorii the proximity of the case to the ground it can be used with equal advantage in windy weather, and there is no waste of the seed. The pitch is regulated by means of a screw, and the machine can be put in or out of gear, with ease and rapidity, and it will sow from half a pound to five bushels an acre with equal facility. It can be used on the roughest groundj and is adapted to sow any, description of seecL, This machine obtained a prize from the Royal Agricultural Society .-in. England. The .other most noticeable exhibit in the department of implements was also imported, and 6hown by the same gentleman, and likewise obtained the Royal Society's special prize at Lincoln. It consists of a pair of swingletrees for three horses; and is- a great improvement on the old wooden implement, in .lightness and strength. -It was the onlyone that could stand- the trial made at the Lincoln show in England, onaecount of which-it was awarded a special prize, although -it .was highly commended by the judges yesterday.

Mr A. lieid exhibited a small model inch to- the foot, of a horizontal wind|.mill< ami- is a grsgt improvement on the .one -shown by the exhibitor last year. As it is the intention of Mr Beid to patent his invention, we will explain its principle no further than to say the chief utility of the invention consists being, so constructed as to do away with aZ, great deal of friction, and is exceedingly compa.ct. The machihe, when ; made its. full sije, spreads a surface of twenty.-fqijir square,feet; to the wind, and when going back closes down to three feet., The judges awarded this model a first prize.

There were only three exhibits of ploughs, all from the well-known firm of Keetley, of

Kaiapoi. There was one on the double and two on the single-furrow principle. Mr Keetley. jun., obtained a first prize for the best, sir.gle-furrow plough, and Mr Keetley, sen., second honors.

There were two pairs of harrows by the same exhibitor, Mr Prankish, one «>t whioh obtained a first prize. In drays, Mr I). IVtrie obtained first h«*ii'>rs, there being only one competitor a_aiu>t him. Mr G. .loluisou exhibit. *.l a buggy which, ulthou-h if considered as the first, attempt of an amateur coaoh maker, would be creditable, was scarcely good enough {nr exhibition. The following i* the prize list :— Chi** :>—Pair of Harrows; twj cutris. Ist prize, R. Frankish. Class 5 —Dray ; two eutrics. Ist prize. D. Pet lie. PLOt'ttHS. single-Furrow I'lough—lst prize, Keetley. jun : 2nd. Keetley sen. Double-Furrow Plough ; one entry ; Keetley, sen. EXTRA STOCK. R. B. Willis, Cracmmarck's Broadcast Sowing Machine. Ist prize. It. B. Willis, Improved Patent Tubular Three-Horse Swingle-Trees. Highly commended. R. B. Willis, Roller, for grass land. Ist prize. G. Johnson, Buggy. A. Reid, Horizontal Windmill model, I.J inch to foot. DAIRY PRODUCE. (Judges—T. D. Jones, John King, W. H. Knapmau.) In judging the hams and bacon the judges experienced a difficulty. The exhibit which, iv their opinion would from its flavour and quality have obtained a first prize, was disqualified in consequence of the bad manner in which the bacon had been cut, a portion of the shoulder having been cut away previous to curing A very fine sample of cheese obtained a first prize. In potted butter the first prize firkin was fit to be exhibited at any show, and reflected great credit ou the maker. The firkin which obtained the second prize was much inferior, as there were indications of the buttermilk not having been properly worked out of it. There were five exhibits only of fresh butter. The judges had no difficulty in awarding the first prize ; with regard to the second it was scarcely as well got up as the butter which was only highly commended, but the latter had a little too much salt iv it to rank as a fair exhibit of fresh butter. There was a great paucity of exhibits in the dairy produce, and it is a great matter of regret that the managing committee of the Ellesmere Agricultural Society do not see their way clear to offer greater inducements for exhibitors to come forward in this department. Such a fine district as the Ellesmere ought at least to have induced a far greater number of exhibitors to come forward and develop its undoubtedly great resources. An increasing trade is being opened out, both with our own goldfields and the neighboring colonies, and this ought surely to act as a great stimulus to our dairy farmers. The following is the prize list • — Class I—For best side of bacon and ham ; one entry. No award. Class 2—For best Cheese, of not less than 201bs. Ist prize, D. Marshall. Class 3—For the best Potted Butter, not less than oGlbs ; one entry. Ist prize, J. J. Loe. Class 4—For the best 3lbs of Fresh Butter; three entries, Ist prize, T. Wilson ; 2nd, J. Barnett ; highly commended, S. M'Causlaud.