The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-20 00:00:00

The business of the society may be said to have
commenced to-day, as the implement-yard was
thrown open this morning to the public at the
charge of half-a-crown, when a greater number
availed themselves of the opportunity of seeing the
collection than is usual at this comparatively high
charge. The show of implements is unusually
large, occupying with their descriptions, au octavo
catalogue of 230 pages. The number of imple-
ments seems to increase year by year, the agricul-
tural implement makers throughout the country
having become increasingly alive to the importance
of these annual exhibitions of their manufactures.
At the same time, it must be owned that they
greatly abuse the privilege. The implement-yard
has become, in fact, a sort of bazaar, fur the show
of every kind of smith's and wright's manufacture
that can, by the most strained courtesy, be consi-
dered as connected with agriculture, while these
implements that are more germane to the matter
are heaped together with a profusion that renders
inspection next to impossible, and suggests the idea
that the implement makers have swept their shoes
to make a good show, rather than they have made a
selection from the newest or most useful articles. If
a breeder were to send his whole stock to occupy the
cattle-yard, lie would not be acting one whit more
absurdly than the implement makers do in sending
specimets of every implement they manufacture.
There is another point in which the implement-
yard might profitably receive a lesson from its
sister department. There is not, as in the case
of the live stock, any attempt at classification. A
breeder may enter animals for competition in every
class of stock for which prizes are offered ; but his
property is not collected together under one stall
bearing his name—cattle are placed with cattle,
horses with horses, and even Devons, Herefords,
and short-horns are not allowed to be intermixed.
But this is not the case with the stalls, of the great
exhibitors, which contain everything that can be
used on a farm, from a portable steam-engine to a
pitchfork, and to compare plough with plough, or
turnip drill with turnip drill, the visitor must run
backwards and forwards two or three times over
the field, while the chances are that he has for-
gotten the peculiarities of one before he comes to
another. It is true that this evil is in part removed
by the trial of implements in farm work ; but be-
sides that this applies only to a small portion of
implements, it is farther to be remembered that
the trials are not attended by 99 in every 100 of
those who come to the show. The evil is loudly
complained of by many practical agriculturists ;
and their complaints become more and more fre-
quent with the annual increase of the nuisance.

made their report. The scope of their inquiry was
of a very considerable extent, for the subject in-
cluded not only the general regulations affecting
all places of public entertainment, but the whole
bearing of the licensing system and the laws affect-
ing the sale of intoxicating drinks. Of course, such
a committee is only appointed on a presumption of
abuse or error, and the abuses in this case were
universally held to be manifold. The law in the first
place was complicated—that is to say, there were
numerous varieties of licenses admitting in a propor-
tionate degree of deceit and evasion. In the next
place, it was oppressive, for, as the issuing of the
moselucrative license was optional, and the grant
of this privilege was lodged in certain official
hands, the whole system was exposed to the opera-
tion of jobbery. Finally, and as a result of these
mistaken provisions, the public were grievously
wronged in their " drinks,' which appear to have
been adulterated to an extent perfectly abominable.
To all these evils it is attempted to apply some
remedy.

With respect to the confusion of licenses we need
say little except on one particular point. There is
one license for the sale of beer, and another for the
sale of beer and spirits—the former constituting a
beer-shop, and the latter what is known by the
name of a " public-house." This distinction ori-
ginates in the act called the Beer Act, which was
especially intended to secure the public in a good,
cheap, and wholesome supply of the national beve-
rage. Before the year 1830 beer, like spirits, could
be obtained only at public-houses of the old de-
scription ; and, as these were mostly under the
command of brewers, who at the same time exer-
cised material influence over the licensing board,
it was evident that the public suffered, while the
rich monopolists were gainers. By way of amend-
ment, therefore, it was decided that the sale of
beer, as a wholesome article of consumption,
should be disassociated from the sale of spirits, and
that a license to deal in malt liquor should be
obtainable by any person as a right, upon certain
securities for good conduct being forthcoming. It
was in this legislation that " beer-shops" arose ;
but the result has not been commensurate with the
expectations conceived. The possession of the
public-houses has enabled the brewers to override
and cripple the beer-shops ; the adulteration of
beer is general and serious ; drunkenness has not
diminished, and the public is little better off than
before.

Among the machines exhibited, however, there
were several which attracted notice from their
novelty of construction, and their adaptation to
important farm purposes. The reaping machines
come in for the largest share of attention. They had
been brought in from the trial field, and, lying out
of gear in the implement yard, a very inadequate
view of their powers could of course be obtained,
but the peculiar mode of action of each would still
be shown, and they were surrounded throughout
the day with eager groups of visitors. It All be
seen by reference to the prize-list, which we sub-
join, that Bell's reaping machine, which has
hitherto been the most successful, has failed this
year in carrying off the prize, which has been
awarded to the machine exhibited by Messrs. Dray
and Co., of London. This machine is an improve-
ment on Mr. Hussey's original reaping machine,
being lightened in its draught, and provided with
a skeleton knife instead of the old solid blade, which
was apt to choke the cutters with the weeds that
form the undergrowth of the harvest. We under-
stand that the judges hesitated for some time be-
tween Mr. Dray's machine and 13ell's reaper as
manufactured by Croskill, and at last the palm was
awarded on the ground that Bell's laid the corn
with most precision, yet in cutting of the corn
Dray's was far superior to the other.
The French engine of M. Mazier, though confes-
sedly imperfect in its details, was much admired
for the simplicity of its construction and lightness
of draught. It was felt, however, that the roller
for lifting corn that has been laid by the action of
the rain—which, by the way, no other machinist
of these implements has attempted—requires
much improvement before it can be fit for prac-
tical use.

It cannot be denied that the chief part of these
evils is traceable to the present system of licensing.
It is quite true that, as far as beer is concerned, any
reputable person may obtain a license to deal in
that commodity ; and as he may, if he so pleases,
brew his own ale, it seems as if sufficient security
existed against anything like monopoly. But it is
found in practice that the beerseller who deals in
that article only is no match for the publican, who
deals in other articles besides. Not only are spirits
attractive in themselves, but they furnish the retailer
with the means of reducing the price of his beer
below the rate of legitimate trading, and making
up the loss at the spirit-tap. The profit upon gin
serves to cover the sacrifice upon malt liquor, and
the publican is thus kept harmless by an expedient
which is beyond the reach of the beer-seller. The
obvious resource of the beer-seller in these straits
is to apply for a wine and spirit license for him-
self; but here he is stopped by the law, for the
granting of such a license is not compulsory, but
is left to the discretion of the magistrates. How
this discretion has been exercised we need not at
present consider. The report alludes to a pre va- '
lent " suspicion " that "licenses are held and
granted capriciously, and that the influence of
builders and brewers is more potent than either the
character of the applicant or the requirements of
the public," and for such suspicion we venture to
say there are pretty good grounds. Sometimes the
refusal of licenses takes the form of a general objec-
tion to multiply drinking-shops ; but, whatever
may be the motives at work, the practical result is,
that a spirit license is only attainable by the aid of
considerable influence, and the advantages which
it conveys are consequently monopolised by those
whose position enables them to obtain it, or who
possess it already.
The Beer Act, therefore, has been a failure, but
it has been a failure only because the principle of
open trading, which it professed to establish, was
not in reality established at all. It was designed
then, and it is desirable now, that any person should
be able to sell beer on equal terms with any other
person, subject only to securities for good behaviour,
whereas, in point of fact, a dealer starting in this
business would be instantly undersold by a publi-
can possessing superior opportunities of trade.
Against this evil the committee direct their princi-
pal suggestions, by recommending that the distinc-
tion between beer-shop and public-house licenses
should be discontinued ; that one uniform license
for the sale of intoxicating drinks should be adopted,
that this should be open to all persons of good
character, on compliance with certain conditions,
and the payment of a certain annual sum. Such
a regulation, it is hoped, would break down the
existing monopoly, and establish a genuine free
trade in beer.

The prize for the best plough for general pur-
poses is awarded to Messrs. Ransome and Sons.
The prize for the one best adapted to plough more
than ten inches deep was, after a severe struggle,
and trials repeated three or four times over, finally
awarded to Messrs. Howard's (of Bedford) imple-
ment over one by Ransome. Of the steam-engines,
which were found last year the most difficult to
decide upon, the prize for the best portable steam-
engine has this year been awarded to Messrs.
Hornsby and Son, of Grantham, Lincolnshire.
Messrs. Ransome carried off the second prize for a
fixed and the first for a portable steam-engine ;
while Messrs. Dray obtained the second prize for
the fixed engine. Both of these fixed steam-engines
were distinguished for simplicity of construction,
the smallness of space they occupied, and the easi-
ness of access to all parts of the machinery.
The economical distribution of manure is every
year rising in importance as a portion of the
management of a farm. Several machines for that
purpose are in the yard. That which obtained the
prize is a broad-cast manure distributor, invented
and manufactured by Mr. Chambers of Fakenhatu,
Norfolk. The principle of this machine consists of a
barrel formed of a series of rings, each having mov-
able projecting pieces (for the delivery of either
highly comminuted or rough manure), which come
in contact with scrapers so placed beneath the box
that the manure has to slide down them; the pres-
sure of the scrapers on the barrel being regulated
also, by moveable weights, to the greatest nicety,
according to the adhesiveness of the manure used.
It is also fitted with a quite novel and excellent
stirrer, of an horizontal movement, by means of a
pair of bevil wheels and crank, which never fails to
give a constant and regular delivery from the box
to the barrel, however moist the contents of the
box may be.
There was, however, another implement in the
yard which attracted much attention, being a ma-
chine for the distribution of liquid manure. It is
the invention of Mr. Hall, of Princes-gate, Nave-
stock, Essex, himself a practical farmer. The ma-
chine itself isin principle no more than a barrel, and
as it revolves as it is dragged along, the fluids with-
in are kept in a constant state of agitation, so that
it is impossible any sediment should remain in the
cart. Tho machine dispenses with the use of axle-
trees, cross bands, or wheels, and the fluids are dis-
tributed by the application of a common syphoon.
It would be equally adapted for the distribution of
water on common roads. This ingenious implement
was not brought into trial on the previous days,
but to-day it was exhibited in full work in the trial
yard, to the admiration of all who witnessed the
smaTphleicrietywere and efficiency of its working. _
hs
in
"gThat
the field. Many of them attention.attracted,res
several subsoil and trench pltcircle of
' which, upon the whole, securedb ther I
Mr. Cotgreave,g of
admirers, was one invented
plough, the trench
aiy•rangement this Ipswich. By an ingenious
.h in one, is capable
plough, and the subsoil im-
plement combines th-
P required
of tilling the land to any depth, from 1O
to 18 inches, and one ploughing
een'clioomulsmouoon
will generally be
found sufficient for each course of cropping. To
the beam of the plough is attached a foot, for regu-
lating the width and depth of the furrow, to which
are fixed revolving discs, acting both as coulters
and heels ; this is followed by the part resembling
the common plough, to be again succeeded by the
trench plough, which brings the soil up an inclined
plane to the surface ; lastly, 3the subsoiler conies
into operation, pulverising the subsoil the required
depth. This implement was out in the trial field,
and the manlier in which it f per ormed its work was
the theme of general
approbation, as it left little
to be done for the land -
after
it had once passed
over it.
It is unnecessary further
to dwell upon the im-
plements exhibited for
ordinary farm purposes.
They may be dismissed with the general remark,
that while some
approach is made to simplicity this
year as compared with former years, there is still
much to be done in that direction before the class
of improved farm implements can be more than in-
genious toys. The number and complication of
wheels, cogs, nuts, and screws that bristle on the
face of every machine are of the most formidable
description, and if one were to form a judgment
simply from the articles that appear in the show-
yard of the society, he would come to the conclu-
sion that the most highly skilled labourers in Eng-
land were to be found in the farm servants who use
them. The principle has in former years been car-
ried to an absurd extreme. We are happY to
serve that the tide is now upon the turr; the
(mous
directors of the society having been most assi
to inculcate upon the exhibitors the necessity of .
in all their
simplicity, wooly, ?ad durability

To the objection founded on the increase in the
number of public-houses which such a law might
occasion we may simply reply, that such houses are
already numerous enough to do all the mischief
attaching to the abuses of the trade. It may very
safely be asserted that no man was ever yet
prevented from getting drunk by the want of a
public-house, nor could the sobriety of a district
possibly be affected by the substitution of three
free houses for one belonging to a brewer. The
adjustment of the supply to the demand may
fairly be left in this, as in all other matters,
to self-regulation. We do not imagine that
more beer or more spirits would be sold under
the operation of the new system than at pre-
sent, though we sincerely hope both spirits and
beer would be found of a better quality and
at a lower charge. As things now stand, the great
brewing firms can virtually fix and determine the
price of malt liquor at their own discretion, and
without fear of competition. The consequence is
a vary high wholesale tariff, and a large adulte-
ration of the commodity before the retail trade
can become remunerative. We are even treated
to one of the special recipes for such an operation :
—" To a barrel of porter, 12 gallons of liquor (the
professional term for water), four pounds of foots,
one pound of salt ; and then there is sometimes, to
bring a head up, a little vitriol, cocculus indicus,
also a variety of things very minute." To so vast
an extent are these delectable practices carried,
that Mr. M'Culloch estimates the mere fraud upon
the revenue by the substitution of water for beer
at one-fourth of the whole malt-tax !
The reader need not be apprehensive of any
increase in these or other immoralities by the
the
proposed enfranchisement of the trade—on
contrary, it is designed in this respect
with.
give additional powers to the law, which,
all its present jealousies, provides little effective
security for good conduct, and no sufficient remedy
for wrongdoing. How much is to be accomplished
in this direction no householder can be slow to feel.
We believe that the public could be served with in-
finitely better articles than at present at materially
smaller charges, if places of entertainment were
but brought under the operation of a liberal and
wholesome system of management. In support of
this opinion, indeed, we need only- point to the
refreshment department of the Crystal Palace,
were a really economical tariff is found compatible
not only with good provision, but, as the report of
the company
shows, with a satisfactory return.—
Times. maw 41....rans

BUENOS AYRES, June 1.--The war seems to be engag•
ing all the ideas of your folks in authority, and they are
leaving this part of the world to look after itself, British
interest suffering thereby. We know not what to think
of it, both as regards this and Monte Video. Her Ma-
jesty's steamer Vixen was all well at Buenos Ayres on
June 1, and about to leave for Monte Videc—Plymoutle.
.3101.

ie%9
f ---pel:relhieaemlnipents intended for exhibition. But there it
much still to be reformed in this department.
, however, an engine connected with a
se
8 :WI agriculturenfeii wtoework
alludeitv
• , liar notireeiosc,
d.erty
aaiwiinvhythie:nginheoftdriaceeresewrvdiyh
jardtoesenhpe:aiwialicii.
extb.ib„itetdheininft
•.3 his own. name, " Davy's Patent De.sor-
'ch rather pedantic title he desig.
natet • that bids fair to abolish the old
process rig flax before beating it. Every
one knows that hitherto the stalks of flax have been
obliged to be steeped in water for several days pre-
vious to its being beaten, a process requiring much
care and delicacy in the operation, as the whole
crop might be spoiled by its being left a day too
long in the water. The object of the steeping is to
rot the woody part of the plant, iu order to separate
it from the fibrous matter, and this was seldom
accomplished without more or less injury to the
fibre itself. The design of this machine is to sepa-
rate the wood from the fibre without the tedious
and dangerous process of a previous steeping; and,
in the presence of a great many spectators, the
machine showed itself fully equal to its purpose.
By an ingenious arrangement of rollers, beaters,
combs, 47c., the stalk, in the same state in which it
might have beets brought from the harvest field,
was put in at one end of the machine, while the
long delicate fibres of the plant came out at the
other, all the woody and refuse matter falling
down into a receptacle below in dirt and chaff,
having been perfectly separated from the fibre in
the course of the operation. The advantage of this
machine to the flax grower will be that, instead of
carrying to mark-et straw of three or four tons
weight, for which he is only paid the price of one,
he will, by scutching the flax on his own ground,
only require to carry to market that which is
valuable, and for which he is paid, while the
refuse, hitherto lost to him, will now be restored to
his fields in the shape of manure. The increased
attention which is every year given to the cultiva-
tion of flax will render this machine, we should
imagine, an article much prized by the flax-grower,
Thele o fecauttllte cultivation
od n.
was
consequence
as it goes far to remove one of the principal draw-
backs that retarded its general adoption as an-ar-
tic
notopeonfedthteillimaeloaccteuhpoiedur
this afternoon,
by the judges in awarding the prizes. The show
of live stock is superior in numbers to that. of
several former years, and, from a hasty glance,
we should say equal in quality. Upon the whole,
the show promises to be one of the most successful
that has been lately held. The weather continues
to be propitious, in spite of it slight shower that
fell about the middle of the day.
The following is the list of prizes awarded by the
judges for implements :
For the plough best adapted for general purposes, 5i., to
Ransome and Sims.
For the plough best adapted for ploughing more than
ten inches deep, 51., to James and F. Howard.
For the best machine for making draining tiles or pipes
for agricultural purposes, Si., to Thomas Scragg.
For the best cultivator, grubber, and scarifier, 51., to E.
H. Bentall.
For the best drill for general purposes, 101., to Richard
Hornsby and Son.
For the best corn and seed drill, 101., to Richard
Hornsby and Son.
For the best and most economical corn drill for small
occupations, 51., to James Smyth and Son.
For the best and most economical small-occupation seed
and manure drill for flat or ridged work, 51., to Richard
Garrett and Son.
For the best turnip drill on the flat, with manure, SI.,
to Richard Hornsby and Son.
For the beat turnip drill on the ridge, with manure, Si.,
to Richard Hornsby and Son.
For the best liquid manure or water drill, 51., to Hugh
Carson.
For the best manure distributor, 101., to Thomas Cham-
bers, jun.
For the best horse hoe on the flat, 51., to Richard Gar-
rett and Son.
For the best horse hoe for setting out or thinning tur-
nips, 51., to Richard Garrett and Son.
For the best reaping machine, 201., to Win. Dray and Co.
For the best portable steam engine, not exceeding 8-
horse power, applicable to thrashing or other agricultural
purposes, 201., to R. Hornsby and Son.
For the second best ditto, 101., to Ransoms and Sims.
For the best fixed steam engine, not exceeding 10-horse
power, applicable to thrashing or other agricultural pur-
poses, 20/., to Ransome and Sims.
For the second best ditto, 101., to Wm. Dray and Co.
For the best portable thrashing machine, not exceeding
6-horse power, for larger occupations, 10/., to R. Hornsby
and Son.
For the best portable thrashing machine, not exceeding
8-horse power, with shaker, riddle, and winnower, that,
will best prepare the corn or the finishing dressing ma-
chine, to be driven by steam, 201., to Clayton, Shuttle-
worth, and Co.
For the best fixed thrashing machine, not exceeding 8-
horse power, with shaker, riddle, and winnower, that will
best prepare the corn for market, to be driven by steam,
20/., to Clayton, Shuttleworth, and Co.
For the best grinding mill for breaking agricultural pro-
duce into meal, Si., to Clayton, Shuttleworth, and Co.
For the best chaff-cutter, to be worked by hand power,
31. to James Cornes.
For the best turnip-cutter, 31. to Bernhard Samuelson.
For the best machine to reduce roots to a pulp, 31., Fre-
derick Phillips.

MISCELLANEOUS.
For a useful farmer's cart, modal, to William Busby.
Ditto, medal, to Thomas Milford.
A cottage stove and cooking apparatus, medal, to W. N
Nicholson.

A useful and economic drainage level, medal, to Henry
Atwood Thompson
One-horse cart, modal, to Wm. Crosskill.
For corrugated piping, medal, to Burgess and Key.
Improved mode of screening clay, with a high commen-
dation of his tile machines, medal, to John Whitehead.
Patent steam draining plough, medal, to Fowler and
Fry.