provements; and we confidently rely upon their cordial support in the trials we hope to carry out the ensuing season. As yet, but one offer unconditionally, has given assurance that the preparations for the trial. shall be made as may be required by the Executive Committee. It is hoped, however, that other offers will be made, in such locations as will be most conducive to the best interests of the Society.

The Executive Committee have prepared with much care the arrangements for the trial, which accompany this report, which are submitted to the Society and our successors for consideration. They have endeavored to secure the opinions of those who are interested in the machinery and implements to be tried, as to the details of the trials which may be had, so as to satisfy all, that no important principle has been overlooked; but the trials shall be so conducted as in the former trials, to secure the entire approbation of the exhibitors and the public.

TRIAL OF IMPLEMENTS, 1866-TRIAL OF MOWERS AND REAPERS, &C. 1st. No machines will be allowed to enter after the second week preceding the time fixed for the commencement of the trial.

The object of this regulation is to allow ample time for the arrangement of the grounds.

2d. The judges, the President and Secretary, and a committee of the officers of the Society, will be on the grounds on the beginning of the week preceding the trial. They will cause (a) the grounds to be staked off into lots of exactly one acre, by stakes three feet long by two and a half inches wide; the number, from No. 1 upwards, will be placed on the top of the stake, and turned inwards towards the lot; there will be a space of two feet in width between each lot (b); to cause a headland six rods in width to be mowed, and the hay removed from the lot before the commencement of the trials (c); to have the following implements ready upon the grounds before the commencement of the trial: a platform scale, a pair of small scales, a speedometer. In case one end of the lot cannot be seen distinctly from the other, poles will be provided as guides. A dynamometer, a measure for side draft, a two foot rule, a measure tape, one hundred feet long, and two of five feet long, a portable forge, a pair of compasses, a machine for testing the temper of knives, a sector, blank-books and lead pencils for each of the judges; a carriage for the conveyance of the judges to and from the grounds to their lodgings, if the trial grounds are too far from their lodgings. Dinner will be furnished on the field. A carpenter with his tools to be present. A sufficient number of policemen will be provided to keep intruders off the ground.

31. The chairman of board of judges will prepare a series of slips of paper, numbered from one upwards. Each competitor will draw one of these, and the number so drawn will be the number of the lot to be mowed by hin.

4th. The judges will be subdivided into the following committees:

On grains and grasses. They will report to the chairman of the judges on the following points:

(a.) The kinds of grain and grass growing in each field.

(b.) If there are different kinds of grain or grass growing in the field, they will give their names and estimate the proportion which each kind bears to the whole amount.

(c.) State the average length of each kind of grass or grain, also thickness on the ground.

(d.) Give the names of the weeds growing in the field, their proportions, average length, and their toughness of stalk.

(e.) Estimate the total amount of grass or grain on an acre, by measuring a small area of which an acre is an exact multiple. Weih the grass or grain on such area, from which weight the amount on an acre may be calculated.

On weight and price. This committee will ascertain

(a.) The exact weight of each machine when ready for work.

(b.) The price of the machine at the shop of the maker.

(c) If any extras are sold with the machine, they will say what they

are.

(d.) If there is a difference in price when the extras go with them, they

will state what it is.

The committee of description will

(a.) Give a general description of each machine.

(b.) They will describe minutely those portions of the machine which are peculiar to it, and which constitute its individuality.

(c.) They will point out any departures from established mechanical prin ciples in its construction, giving their reasons in full.

The committee on mechanical arrangements will ascertain and record (a) The number of horses required for each machine.

(b.) The number of men, and the capacity in which they are employed. (c.) The kind of material used in the construction of each machine, and the opinion of its durability.

(d.) Examine the workmanship of each machine, and state the nature, locality and probable consequence of each defect.

(e.) The metals that are used for journal bearings.

(f.) Observe the machine after it has been used, and state what parts have been heated, and to what extent.

(g.) Examine them carefully after they have been used, to see if any part has been unduly rubbed or worn.

(h.) Observe the facilities for oiling each part of the machine, and for easiness of access to each bolt, screw and nut.

(i.) What arrangements are made for cutting stubble at different lengths.

(j.) In what manner are the gavels delivered, behind or at the side. (k.) The relative poi tability and compactness of the machines.

(1.) The contrivances adopted for the security and comfort of the driver. (m.) Ascertain the temper of each knife.

This committee will adopt some scale of numbers, by which they may express the relative values of the machines on such of the above points as are relative in their scope.

The committee on quality of work will

(a.) Assume the No. 40 to represent the best work that can be done. The No. 30 as representing the best work that can be done with a hand scythe. The No. 20 as inferior to any work that would be tolerated by a respectable farmer. The gradation of work will be expressed by numbers intermediate to these.

(a a.) The standard speed to which competitors are requested to conform is one acre per hour.

(b.) They will pay particular attention to the speed of the machine at the time of clogging. For this purpose they will be furnished with a speedometer, which in connection with the time occupied, will enable them to ascertain the maximum and minimum speed at which each will operate usefully.

(c.) Observe the evenness of the cut; whether it is higher at one end than the other, and whether it is scalloped. This observation to be made when the machine is moving at the standard speed of one acre per hour.

(d.) The condition of the grass when it is cut; whether it is evenly spread or in ridges. The machine which leaves the grass in the best condition for drying is the most perfect.

(e.) The length of stubble left by each machine. To accomplish this, numerous measurements should be made in at least ten different portions of each lot, average taken.

(f.) See if any spears of grass or grain have been drawn out by the roots. If so, state the proportion.

(g.) What is the appearance of the cut end of the machine stubble. Is it clean cut or torn off.

(h.) The closeness with which the machine cuts up to obstacles, such as stones, stumps and fences.

(i.) State the condition in which the machine leaves the gavels; whether in the best condition for the binder or not.

(j) Is the grain beaten out by the action of the machine when moving at the standard speed.

(k.) The condition of the grass or grain with respect to wetness or dryness. The committee on time will note

(a.), The exact time of starting each machine.

(b.) They will observe the time occupied by each stoppage, stating its cause, and specifying those which were occasioned by the fault of the machine, and those which were not connected with the machine.

N. B. It will be distinctly understood that no credits will be given for rapidity of work done by hurrying the horses. It is the desire of the Society that the manufacturer should move the machine at the speed which he deems best adapted to show its merits.

(c.) The time of final stoppage of each machine.

(d.) In the dynamometer trials, they will note the exact length of time that the dynamometer is applied to the machine while in motion.

(d d.) In these trials the machine will be set to cut the stubble three inches in length.

(e.) In the trials of minimum speed, they will note the exact time a machine is passing over a given space.

The committee on dimensions will make and record the following measurements:

(a.) The length of cut. This measurement will be in all cases the length of the actual cut, not the grass gathered by the divider.

(b.) The diameter and breadth of the driving wheel. If the wheel is not smooth, state the length and breadth of the projections, and their distance from each other.

(c.) The number of vibrations of the knife to each revolution of the drivng wheel; also the length of each vibration.

(d.) The advance of the machine while making one vibration.

(e.) The length of the base of each tooth of the cutter, and the distance of the apex from the base.

(f.) The breadth and thickness of each end of the cutter bar. The material, whether of wood, steel or iron; also the same dimensions for the finger bar. The weight of the knife and cutter bar will be noticed.

(g.) The distance between the fingers or guards; length of the vibrations and whether it is greater or less than the distance between the center of the guard fingers.

(h.) Is the knife sickle edged or smooth.

(i.) The diameter of the reel, and the number of its revolutions in relation to the driving wheel.

(j.) The pitch of the gearing.

(j. j.) The angle at which the cutter and guard finger meet in severing

the crop.

(k.) The length of the pitman rod, and its weight and material.

(k k.) The width of the finger at the point where the face of the cutter section meets it, and at the point where the apex meets it.

The dynamometer committee will,

(a.) Ascertain the total power required to operate each machine while cutting.

(b.) The power required to draw the machine over a smooth surface with the knife in motion but not cutting.

(c.) The power required to draw the machine over a smooth surface, the knife being in repose.

(d.) Measure the side draft.

The dynamometer will be applied once across the field and back. The four machines consuming the least power on the first trial, shall be tried again; and, if the consumption of power remains relatively the same, the trial will be final. If otherwise, the trials will be repeated until the committee satisfy themselves which really is the most economical of power. When all these points have been accurately determined, the judges will consider them and decide

*(a.) Which is the cheapest machine.

*(b.) The most simple in its construction. *(c.) The most durable.

*(d.) Which requires the least power.

*(e.) Which has the least side draft.

This will be determined by its capacity to perform a given amount of work, in a workmanlike manner, in a given time, in the most economical way.

(f.) Which does the most work in the least time.

(g.) Which does the best work.

(h.) Which is managed with the most facility.

In determining the last question, they will consider

(i.) Which is most portable when in operation, or otherwise.

(j) The arrangement for throwing in or out of gear.

(k.) Accessibility of parts for convenience of oiling, tightening nuts, &c. (1.) Convenience and safety of the driver.

(m.) Readiness with which the machine may be brought into perfect operation from a dead stand, and quality of work with slow motion.

(n.) Time and room occupied in turning and avoiding abraision of the turf. (0.) Adaptation to uneven surfaces, cutting at different heights, and to cutting different kinds of grass..

When the judges have determined these questions, they will proceed to decide which of the machines is best adapted to the use of the farmer, by having the greatest number of merits and the fewest defects.

5th. In case two or more machines should approach very near to each other in merit, the judges will give such machines new trials, as in tangled clover, on soft bottoms, on stony surfaces, and such other places as seem best adapted to settle their relative merits.

6th. Only four machines shall be in operation at once, and each machine will be attended by a member of the time committee all the time that it is in action.

7th. The machines will be tried in the order of their numbers. Lot No. 1 will be cut first, No. 2 next, and so on.

8th. The trials will commence at 8 A. M., and continue until 6 P. M., with an intermission of one hour for dinner.

9th. Each competitor will furnish his own team and driver.

10th. It is of importance that each machine be put in complete running order before coming on to the ground, and the knives should be perfectly sharp before the dynamometer trials take place. No allowance will be made by the judges should this precaution be neglected. Competitors should be well supplied with oil, wrenches and duplicate parts of the machine.

11th. A lot will be provided in which competitors may try their machines. previous to entering upon the regular trial.

12th. No persons will be permitted to go upon the grounds while the trial is proceeding, except competitors and judges.

13th. The police will prevent all persons handling the cut grain, except the owner and his men.

14th. The chairman of the judges will tabulate the reports of the subcommittees, and will draw up a full report of the trial.

15th. Exhibitors shall present no other machines for trial than those which they habitually furnish from their shops to their customers. The object of the Society is to furnish for farmers the best machines in actual use, and they do not wish to countenance any other, and they desire none others for trial than those in market for farmers use.