the finer material or dust is reserved for sheep or for manure. Price in London from 8 to 11 guineas. 2556. A stone-breaking machine impelled by steam may be constructed of two fluted rollers, placed side by side, about an inch apart, and turning different ways. The stones are put into a kind of hopper above, and pushed down with a rake, affording a regular supply to the roller. It is worked by one of Kay and Routledge's rotatory engines, of one-horse power, and will completely break a ton of hard pebbles in about six or eight minutes. (Newton's Journal, vol. vi. p. 152.) 2557. The root-breaker or bruiser (fig. 266.) is composed of two widely fluted rollers, placed under a hopper, turned by two men. It is used for breaking or bruising potatoes, turnips, carrots, or other raw roots, into small or moderate sized pieces, before giving them to cattle or horses. The same implement may be set so close by means of two screws, as to serve for a whin-bruiser, or for breaking beans or corn of any kind. 266 267 2558. The corn-bruising machine (fig. 267.) is contrived for the purpose of bruising or kibbling different sorts of grain, pulse, &c. as well as grinding malt. It is a simple implement, constructed with two iron rollers of different diameters, turned true on their axles or spindles, each roller having a cog or tooth wheel. A roller with grooves is fixed under the hopper, to receive the grain from the hopper, and lay it on the two rollers. To one of the rollers is fixed a fly-wheel. The machine is made to be worked by hand, or any other power. The upper wood frame is made to slide, and is regulated by a screw, according to the size of the grain, and will bruise it more or less as may be required. 2559. The potato flour-mill (fig. 268.) consists of a cylinder (a) covered with tinplates pierced with holes, so as to leave a rough surface, in the same manner as the graters used for nutmegs, &c., but the holes in this are larger. This cylinder is situate beneath a hopper (b), into which the potatoes are thrown, and thence admitted into a kind of trough (c), when they are forced against the cylinder, which, as it revolves, grinds the 268 potatoes to a pulp. Motion is given to the machine by a handle fixed upon the end of the axis of the grating cylinder (a), and on the opposite extremity of this axis is a flywheel (d) to regulate and equalise the movement. The potatoes, when put into the hopper, press by their weight upon the top of the cylinder, and, as it revolves, they d b a are in part grated away. On one side of the lower part of the hopper is an opening, closed or opened more or less, at pleasure, by a slider (e); and the degree of opening which this has, regulates the passage of the potatoes from the hopper into the trough (c). which slides backwards and forwards by the action of levers (g), fixed to an axis extended across the frame of the machine: a lever (h) is fixed upon this axis, causing a weight which acts upon the board (f) by means of the levers, to force or press forward the potatoes contained in the trough (c) against the cylinder, and complete the grating of them into a pulp. The tin-plate covering the cylinder is of course pierced from the inside outwards, and the bur or rough edge, left round each hole, forms an excellent rasping surface. 2560. The chaff-cutter is used for cutting hay or straw into fragments not larger than chaff, to facilitate its consumption by cattle. There are numerous forms; one of the best is that of Weir (fig. 269.), which is so formed, that in case of its being accidentally broken, it may be repaired by any common mechanic. The pressure 269 of the straw is also capable of being regulated with great facility. 2561. The hay-binding machine is an invention by Beckway for weighing and binding straw or hay. (fig. 272.) It is a very ingenious apparatus, and may be useful to retail 270 farmers in the neighbourhood of large towns. The apparatus, with every implement necessary to be used in cutting, weighing, and binding, may be packed together so as to form a wheelbarrow. (fig. 270.) When unpacked (fig. 272.), the wheel is taken out, and the bottom of the barrow (a) turned upside down upon the ground as a platform. (fig. 271.) The standard (b), 271 is then set up in the sockets of the underside of the barrow. The frame (c) is then unfolded, and the axis of the steelyard or scalebeam (d), placed upon the standard as a fulcrum, supporting the frame (c) at the short end, and at the long end the counterpoising weight is suspended by a chain, and adjusted to the graduations upon the steelyard agreeably to the quantity of hay to be weighed. The bed of the frame (c) is then fastened down to the platform by means of the lever which held the wheel in the barrow. Two haybands are then placed between the hooks (e e), and extended along the bed of the frame (c). 272 The truss of hay is then laid upon the bed of the frame (c), as shown by dotted lines, and the lever or latch underneath withdrawn, so as to allow the scale-beam to oscillate. The proper quantity or weight of hay being adjusted, the truss is bound round with the haybands, which were placed under it. This truss being removed, the same process is followed in weighing and binding every other truss, which is done without the smallest delay or inconvenience; when the whole quantity required is bound up, the apparatus is dismounted and packed together in five minutes, as fig. 270. The respective implements, such as the knife, fork, pin, and every part of the machine, fitting together upon the barrow so as to secure the whole, are bound round by the chain and weight, and tightly packed for conveyance. (Newton's Journal. vol. i. p. 136.) C 2562. The rope-twisting machine (fig. 273.), is a small wheel, the prolonged axle or spindle of which terminates in a hook, on which the rope is commenced. It is commonly fixed to a portable stand; but is sometimes attached to a threshing-machine. It is used for twisting ropes of straw, hay, or rushes, for tying on the thatch of ricks, and other similar purposes. It is also used to form very thick ropes for forming straw drains. 2563. The draught-machine, or dynamometer, is a contrivance invented for the purpose of ascertaining the force or power of draught, in drawing ploughs, &c. Finlayson's (fig. 274.) is reckoned one of the best varieties for agricultural purposes. 274 273 2564. More's draught-machine is a spring coiled within a cylindrical case, having a dial-plate marked with numbers like that of a clock, and so contrived that a hand moves with the motion of the spring, and points to the numbers in proportion as the force is exerted: for instance, when the draught equals one cwt. over a pulley, the hand points to figure 1; when the draught is equal to two cwt. it points to figure 2, and so on. Till this very useful machine was invented, it was exceedingly difficult to compare the draught of different ploughs, as there was no rule to judge by, but the exertions of the horses as apparent to the eye; a very undecisive mode of ascertaining their force. 2565. Braby's draught-machine (fig. 275.), consists of two strong steel plates, joined at the ends, and forming a spheroidal opening between them. In using it, one end (a) is hooked on the muzzle of the plough or other implement, and to the other (b) the 275 a draught trees are at- latter, being more simple in the construction, must 2566. The weighing-cage (fig. 276.) is a contrivance made in the form of a sort of open box or cage, by which any small animal, as a pig, sheep, calf, &c. may be very easily and expeditiously weighed, and with sufficient accuracy for the farmer's purpose. It is constructed on the principle of the common steelyard, with a strong wooden frame and steel centres, in which the pivots of the lever are hung; and upon the short side of the lever is suspended a coop, surrounded by strong network, in which the animal intended to be weighed is placed. The point of suspension is connected with the coop by means of two curved iron rods, which at the same time form the head of it; a common scale being hung on the longer side of the lever. 2567. The cattle - weighing machine is a contrivance of the steelyard kind, for the purpose of weighing cattle and other animals alive. A machine of this sort is of importance in the grazing and fattening systems, where they are carried to any considerable extent, in ascertaining the progress made by the animals, and showing how they pay for the use of any particular kind of food, or what power it has in promoting the fattening process. Weir's variety (fig. 277.) is by far the simplest and most economical of these machines. 2568. The weighing-machine for sacks (fig. 278.) is a convenient piece of barn-furniture on the steelyard principle, and so common as to require no description. 278 2569. A potato-weighing machine (fig. 279.), of a very complete description, has been invented by Mr. John Smith, of Edinburgh, and is figured in the Highland Society's Transactions, vol. vii. pl. iii. It is on the principle of the steelyard, and chiefly intended for weighing grain, flour, potatoes, or any other commodity usually put into a bag for carriage or keep. The machine is portable, of easy use, and not liable to go out of order. 2570. Ruthven's farmer's steelyard (fig. 280.) is well adapted for weighing and readily discharging bulky commodities. It consists of a longer and shorter beam, with a moveable weight, to be shifted along the former, and a scale suspended to the latter. The longer arm, from its extremity, being confined within a limited range, obviates the inconvenience of jerks and long vibrations, while an index upon it points out the required weight, by a counterpoise being slid backwards and forwards, till the point has been found when it acts as an equivalent. By turning a keeper fixed to the scale, one end of it is opened, turning on 8 7 6 5 L 3 2 280 a cylindrical hinge at the top, and the contents speedily discharged. These balances may be made of any size required, either to suit the purposes of the farm, or the household. Their simplicity secures them equally against expense of manufacture, and the risk of going wrong when in use. One weight only is required, the value of which, as a counterpoise, depends on its distance from the centre of motion; and it is so confined upon the long arm, that, though it has a perfectly free motion over all its length, it cannot escape at either extremity, and consequently can never be lost, which is a great recommendation to the instrument. The simple manner in which one of the ends of the tin-plate scale opens up round a wire hinge is also very ingenious, and no less calculated to render the steelyard useful when weighing flour, grain, seeds, and such commodities. (High. S. Trans.) 281 2571. The turnip-slicer is of different forms; the old machine works by hand, like a straw-cutter of the original construction; but a better one consists of a hopper and knives, fixed upon a fly wheel. (fig. 281.) The turnips press against the knife by their own weight, and a man turning the wheel will cut a bushel in a minute. Gardener's turnip-slicer is a highly improved form of this machine. 2572. The turnip-chopper (fig. 282.) is perhaps a more useful implement than the turnip-slicer. It is first made like the common nine-inch garden hoe, forming an oblong square, with an eye to receive the handle, and from the centre of the first hoe, another hoe crosses it at right angles. On the reverse is a two-pronged fork, for the purpose of pulling up the turnips. The turnip being pulled out of the ground by the prongs, or the angles of the hoe, is immediately struck with it about the centre, which divides it into four; and if these four pieces are not small enough, the stroke is repeated upon each of the pieces until they are sufficiently reduced. The two stoutish prongs on the back or reverse part of the hoe, proceeding from the neck of the eye, besides their use in pulling up the turnips commended in any particular case will depend on the texture of the soil; one which would answer w ll in a soft soil or sand might not succeed in a stony or loamy soil. As the fashions of drills are continually changing, we advise intending purchasers to describe their soil and kind of culture, as whether raised or flat drilling, &c., to a respectable implement-maker, and try the kind he recommends. In the mean time we submit a few of the established forms. 2574. The bean or potato dibbling machine fig. 283.) consists of a single wheel, set with dibber points, which: may be placed wider or closer at pleasure. It is pushed along by one man, and succeeds on friable soils, but cannot be depended on when the surface is rough or tenacious. Potato sets to be planted after this machine should be cut with the improved scoop (2494.). 283 2575. The common hand drill-barrow (fig. 284.) consists of a frame and wheel 284 somewhat similar to that of a common 2576. The broadcast hand-drill (fig. 285.) is chiefly used for sowing clover or other small seeds, with or without grass seeds. The operation, however, is much more fre quently performed by hand. Broadcast sowing by machinery drawn by horses or cattle, however, may be advantageously adopted on farms of the largest size, and where the soil is uniform in surface, in moisture, and in richness. 286 2577. Coggins's dibbling-machine (fig. 286.) was invented in 1827, and appears very ingeniously contrived. The Mechanism is to be worked by the foot of the operator. The machine runs on wheels, and there are two conical dibbling irons, one larger than the other. These are ranged in a line with the delivering funnel of the drill, and at such distances apart as may be considered proper for discharging the seeds. A hopper (a) contains the seed, and such earthy materials as bone dust, or other manure in powder, as may be found necessary to deposit with the seed. There is a funnel (6) through which the seeds and manure are passed; and the conical dibbling iron (c) is worked by a handle (d). This dibbling iron and its handle are connected by two levers, of which the lower (e) hangs to the axle of the principal running wheel, and has at its front extremity a small cone (ƒ), intended as a marker. There is an upper lever (g) which works the axle (h) of the cylinder, within |