delivering both best corn and tailings into their proper sacks. The above machine is peculiarly adapted for grain in very bad condition, or when very full of crow needles and rubbish. It can be worked either as a single or double dresser, and delivers the corn on either side. The arrange ments are very simple, all working parts being on the outside and easy of access. The machine stands remarkably steady when at work. It is mounted on wood wheels and patent axles, the drum fitted with Goucher's patent beaters. Our illustration represents the engine as it appears when conveying its ma chine or apparatus very good; the piece of ground allotted being completed during the daytime, and a portion cross cultivated after the moon had risen. More than usual interest was taken in these trials, in consequence of the novel application of steam power, through a very ingenious windlass, to the tillage of the land. The chief anxiety of the Royal Agricultural Society, and those most interested in the application of that wondrous agent, steam, to till the land, has been to find the best means to yoke the ordinary portable steam engine, now numbering their hundreds in almost every county in Eng TRACTION ENGINE AND THRASHING MACHINE. MESSRS. ROBEY AND CO. from one place to another. From the EXHIBITS OF MR. EDWARD HAYES, of Stoney Stratford, Bucks, we select the Self-acting Windlass for Steam Ploughing. Our illustration is a sketch taken on the estate of his Grace the Duke of Grafton, at Wakefield Lawn, Northamptonshire, a beautiful and picturesque part of the county, bounded by the ancient Forest of Whittlebury, and abounding in historic interest, Near the spot still stands the Queen's Oak, under which King Edward IV., in 1464, met, for the first time, the lovely widow, Elizabeth Woodville, the ancestress of the present royal lady. Here some interesting trials in steam cultivation have recently taken place, through the invitation of his Grace the Duke of Grafton, who kindly placed a piece of land at the disposal of Mr. Hayes, to test the merits of his patent self-acting windlass, previously to its being land. This has been done by the self-acting windlass of Mr. Hayes. The following is a description of the working of the machinery:-The windlass is detached from the engine, and driven by a strap, as the thrashing machine has been; the engine and windlass being drawn by horses, to and from the work to be done, as the engine and thrashing machine have been. In thrashing corn by steam, the engine is not stopped; neither is it in cultivating the land. When the cultivator reaches the headland, the plough or cultivator is instantly stopped by the anchorman waiting to receive the same. The engine has not even any portion of its steam shut off; nor is it really necessary that the enginedriver should be in sight of the work being done. The stopping and starting is much more quickly done than in the ordinary method of stopping and starting, the engine requiring only one man to superintendengine and windlass. As signals are not a necessity, it will be perceived that work can be done in fogs and by moonlight. This adaptation is considered of great value. The steam horse never tires. By a double set of hands, the ploughing need not cease night or day. The main distinguishing features of the windlass are:-It is so constructed as to use with advantage the simple and ordinary portable engine with one cylinder, and so employ much of the capital already expended in the steam-engine for agricultural purposes. One man superintends both engine and windlass. The anchor-man at each headland stops the implement without stopping the engine. SELF-ACTING WINDLASS FOR STEAM-PLOUGHING. placed in the International Exhibition. A silver medal was awarded to this windlass at the Royal Agricultural Show at Leeds, 1861. Among the company present on the occasion were his Grace the Duke of Grafton, the Duchess of Grafton, Lord Euston, the Hon. Colonel Douglas Pennant, Lady Pennant, the Hon. George Fitzroy, Captain J. C. Mansel, with a number of the leading agriculturists of the neighbourhood, who took great interest in the working of the machinery. The results of the trial were considered MR. EDWARD HAYES. ways, so as to attain a uniform width. Its workmanship is clean and accurate. The third figure shows the Patent Combined Machine, for mortising, tenon-cutting hard and soft wood, and boring wood or iron. This is perhaps one of the most interesting of Messrs. Powis, James, and Co.'s production. It is a beautiful little apparatus, simple, powerful, and expeditious, and is, we believe, the only one patented in the United Kingdom for doing three kinds of work by one machine. It is self-feeding, and requires only unskilled labour for its attendant, or is not likely to break or get out of order, and will do as much work (even with unskilled aid) as eight good workmen with the chisel and mallet. The Improved Patent Combined Timber and Deal Frame is so contrived as to answer a double purpose. It is very efficient, yet simple, the effect of the invention being to render it of easy adaptation and working. The balk of timber to be operated on it is supported to the saw frame by means of a "roller the saw wheel is allowed to move freely up and down a dovetail slide, which is connected with a compound adjusting lever. Two adjusting rods pass through the end of this lever, in communication with boxes containing springs, on which the saw-wheel rides, and thus, when sawing sharp curves, an expansion of the saw takes place, and in all those other cases where the saw is required to be eased on the wheels carrying it, this combined mechanical adjustment comes into immediate operation. The action of the springs is compensatory for any sudden demands-the saw is allowed to ride easy and soft on the wheels, and the slack caused by expansion is immediately taken up 4.-COMBINED TIMBER AND DEAL FRAME. feed," the timber being carried forward on two iron carriages, running on rails, and provided with wrought-iron screw clips, for holding the timber in position. One great advantage of this frame over the old kind is that the pressure and binding rollers, when not required for cutting deal, may be wound up and put out of the way, instead of needing complete removal. When required as a deal frame very little preparation is necessary, the fence being made in one piece, ready to drop in its place. Here may be cut round or square logs, up to twentyfour inches diameter, or two twenty-four by seven inch deals, or any size under, the timber carriages being arranged so as to allow the curve to be followed in crooked logs. The frame can be driven from above or below, and can be used on a tidal river, as no excavations are required underneath, without the tightening of the wheel a second time, as in the old inventions. Considering that the evils of carelessness on the part of attendants, and the misfortunes unavoidable, are thus prevented, this improvement may be certainly called a success, in its most im portant feature of economy. machine cuts This twenty-two inches deep, and the table is made to shift on the angle to suit any class of work. It is of finished order, perfect in adaptation and design, and already in extensive and successful use in the mining, ship-building and manufacturing districts of this and other countries. Next we have a Six-horse Horizontal High-pressure Engine, exceedingly simple, inexpensive, and compact, constructed with great accuracy, lightness, and strength, and of the most approved design. Those connected with machinery know the value of smoothness and 5.-ENDLESS BAND SAW MACHINE. except a pit for the sawdust, a matter of great moment where premises are subject to flooding. The workmanship throughout is excellent, and the material of first-class quality. The Endless Band Saw Machine is provided with a compound spring adjustment (never before adopted), to prevent the fracture of saws from the sudden expansion, contraction, &c., to which they are unavoidably liable in the course of daily use. In the ordinary machines, the bearing which carries the saw wheel is a fixture, and therefore no allowance can at any time be made for sudden strains. In Messrs. Powis's improvement the top spindle or bracket, or bearing, carrying ease in the working parts, and the engine under consideration is perfect in these respects. It is supplied with pump, governor, throttle and stop valves, blow-through cocks, and grease-urn to cylinder. Each motion-block is cased with brass, so as to hold oil to lubricate the bottom bars; in deed, Messrs. Powis have been particularly careful that all the working parts of the engine should be well lubricated-a very important point. These engines are constructed of the best material, and are admirably adapted for the driving of the various wood-cutting machines we are now noticing. Throughout the Western Annexe-so richly stored with machines for working in iron and wood-none contribute a more interesting display of wood-cutting machines than the above-mentioned firm. Many of them are masterpieces of automatic skill, and all are evidently the results of deep thought, consummate professional skill, and thorough knowledge. WE have selected our illustration from the extensive show of Messrs. Leighton, of Brewer Street, Golden Square, which contains an extremely good collection in this important branch of art manufacture.' Their contribution to the Great International Exhibition consists of volumes of every variety of size and style, from the most elaborate specimens in morocco to simple calf-bindings. The book from which our engraving is taken is a copy of "Shakspeare," in morocco, in the Elizabethan style. It is richly illuminated with the arms and autograph of the poet. On the edges is a painting of "Shakspeare reading his plays to Queen Elizabeth," which does not show when the volume is shut, the design having been drawn before the edges were gilt, so that the picture is only seen upon opening the book. Among the curiosities of Art-manufactures exhibited, these specimens are to be commended for originality, ingenuity, and taste. These exhibitors do not show so much for minute" finishing," as for substantial work, in combination with good design. We would direct attention particularly to a folio volume, "L'Inferno di Dante," bound in black morocco, inlaid in coloured leathers, and richly gilt, with design of the serpent and apple enveloped in a shower of golden flames, which is very Venetian in character. In addition to Messrs. J. and J. Leighton's show of extra leather bindings, they display processes connected with the restoration of missing portions of imperfect books, as copper and woodcut illustrations; also letterpress, which are produced by them in MS. fac-simile; plates reduced from folios to 8vo size, by the photo-zincographic process; likewise samples of paper-splitting (which is often very useful in bookbinding). There are also shown a choice assemblage of bookplates-produced by them for various literary collectors. Most of the patterns in "extra" or library bindings are produced by impressing on the covers a number of separate tools, arranged by the "finisher" himself into forms according to his taste, and in many cases without artistic help. One of the greatest faults of the bookbinder, foreign as well as British, consists in the over elaboration of designs, without due regard to leading features. This, however, is a fault that does not apply to the works under notice, which are highly meritorious. In the same case are several specimens THE EXHIBITION SHAKSPEARE. MESSRS. J. AND J. LEIGHTON. THE DESIGN BY LUKE LIMNER. of the richly-variegated Spanish leather (now so scarce), which affords a pleasing variety to the ordinary calf-bindings, which, with a copy of "Burnet on Painting," in red morocco, with a chaste pattern in gilt lines, |