1851 Great Exhibition: Official Catalogue: Class IX.: Introduction

INTRODUCTION.

THE application of the mechanical genius of this country to Agriculture is illustrated by the present Class. In respect of the space occupied by it, it may be considered the largest Class in the Exhibition; but in the number of exhibitors it does not equal many other Classes. In consequence of the annual exhibitions of agricultural implements held in different towns, the exhibitors in this Class have had a degree of experience in their preparations for exhibiting, not enjoyed by those in other Classes, to whom a public display of their productions has presented itself as a new undertaking.

This Class divides itself into the following sub-classes:—

• A. Implements for Tillage, such as Ploughs, Harrows, Scarifiers, Clod-crushers, etc.;
• B. Drilling, Sowing, Manuring, and Hoeing Machines, such as Drills, Dibblers, Hoes, etc.;
• C. Harvesting Machines, as machines for cutting corn, etc., Rakes, Tedding, and other machines;
• D. Barn Machinery, as Steam-engines, Horse-works, Thrashing-machines, Winnowing, Hummelling, and other machines;
• E. Field, Fold, and Yard machinery, as Turnip-cutters, steaming, feeding, weighing, and watering machinery;
• F. Agricultural Carriages, Harness, and Gear, such as Waggons, Carts, etc.;
• G. Drainage Implements, as Pipe, Tile, and Brick-making machines, Irrigators, etc.;
• H. Dairy Implements, as Churns, Presses, etc.;
• I. Miscellaneous Implements used in Agriculture; and
• J. Garden-engines and Tools.

In the Building the implements and other apparatus of this Class will be found in Avenues P. Q. and R., extending from the western wall of the Building to the Sculpture Court. Some of the machines in motion, such as mills for farm produce, together with some of the steam-engines adapted for agricultural purposes, are found in the space generally occupied by Classes 5, 6. Outside the Building, also, at its western end, are gates, hurdles, etc., which properly belong to this Class.

The results of much effort, in calling in the powers of the steam-engine to the aid of agriculture as to that of manufacture, are evident in this Class. The agricultural steam-engine is itself an interesting object. For its practical application, great simplicity, combined with efficiency and strength in the working parts, is absolutely necessary. The mechanism requires to be such as shall not be easily deranged, or if deranged to be capable of easy adjustment. The elements of lightness and portability, with simple but efficient working power, naturally offer themselves, as of the first moment, in the construction of an engine to be managed by agricultural labourers, to be dragged into the fields, and often over bad ground and roads.

The oscillating cylinder-engine is used in some of the instances exhibited, and in others the cylinder is placed horizontally, and is fixed, the slide-valves being acted on by an eccentric in the usual manner. These engines have been put to actual service, together with the other machines in this Class; having been tested in the trial-yard on their way to the Building. Upon the result of these experiments will principally depend the report of the Jury for this Class.

A variety of ploughs and pulverizers are shown, the peculiar form and construction of which are submitted to practical agriculturists for their approbation. A large amount of attention has been given to the form of the share and furrow-turner, with a view to their adaptation to soils of varying tenacities and degrees of resistance. Many of the iron ploughs are deserving of notice from their compactness and lightness of construction. Some are made especially for convenience of stowage for emigrants. The drilling, sowing, and manuring machines exhibit features of interest. In many of these, vulcanized caoutchouc has been serviceably applied for conducting the seed, manure, etc., to the coulters. The steerage of many of these machines exhibits ingenious arrangements.

Attempts have frequently been made to substitute mechanical for hand-labour in harvesting operations. Some curiously-contrived forms of apparatus are found in this Class adapted for cutting corn and grass, and thus in a degree dispensing with the labours of the reaper and the mower. Barn machinery is also well represented in a variety of chaff-cutters, winnowing, thrashing, and other machines and mills, which afford an instructive view of the present extensive applications of machinery to agricultural uses. The implements connected with the all-important subject of drainage are specimens exhibiting much inventive skill. The pipe, brick, and tile machines are highly interesting, and some are exhibited in operation, automatically producing, from well- kneaded clay, these various articles, the ordinary manufacture of which requires the labours of several individuals. The pipe-making machines present a singular aspect when in work, discharging an endless row of pipes of wet clay, which are divided by the alternate rise and fall of horizontal wire. By a simple arrangement the length of these pipes can be adjusted to any required extent.

In no other country, of late years, has agriculture been rendered so largely an object of experiment as in the United Kingdom, and in none other do the requisite amount of capital, and the supply of means for such experiments, proportionately to the area of the soil occupied, exist. Perhaps it may be added, that in no other country does there exist the same absolute necessity for the complete development of the productive capabilities of the soil. The application of philosophy to this art is recent, but promises favourable results. Chemistry has been applied to, for the knowledge of the properties of various earths, and Mechanics become the next object of study with a view to reduce the soil to the conditions required by the cultivator.— R. E.

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