BATH AND WEST AND SOUTHERN COUNTIES SOCIETY AGRICULTURAL SHOW.
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The West Country Agricultural Show each year proves, at any rate so far as the implement section is concerned, more often than not to he a. more or less complete forecast of what, is to appear at the Royal Show. On account of the somewhat limited public appeal which it makes, the Bath Show does not attain to such dimensions as that held .annually by the R.A.S.E. Nevertheless it must be admitted that its :proportions are such as to compel recurring attention. This year the Show at Bath !proved no exception to the rule, and although there was a scarcity of new implements in the machinery section, there was a representative collection staged in a convenient manner. At the Royal Show, owing to the nature of the Show ground, the colleetiN e exhibits themselves, often covering large areas, are not easily comparable one make with the other. At Bath, however, the whole of the tractors, steam wagons, traction engines, and similar examples, are grouped along one side of the ground. It is therefore possible, with the minimum of trouble, to survey the whole of the exhibits of this class on view. Li view of the interest which is undoubtedly being taken by a.grieulturists in all parts of the country in the development of the internal-combustion tractor for land-cultivation purposes, it is curious to note that only one maker exhibited an oil-driven tractor of the class which has of late been developed for this class of work. There were, however, several examples of the ordinary type of steam-driven tractor, and these, with little alteration, have successfully been used for direct haulage in the fields, although they are admittedly sfilojeet to drawbacks inherent to their fuel and water supplies. A small petrol-driven roller was shown, and this was one the best examples of its type. A small steam roller formed a useful contrast to its modern competitor. There were several petrol-driven industrial chassis on the ground, but only one amongst the manufacturers of steam tractors and wagons. No fewer than eight steam wagons were exhibited, and this is a sure indication of the interest which this class of plant now has for the agriculturist.
At one end of the line MARSHALLS, OF OAINSBOROUGH, had an exhibit which included one of the well-known 30 h.p. oil tractors, a type which has now gained so much popularity in the colonies and other parts of the world.
BURRELLS, OF THETFORD, had one of their over-tvpe steam wagons on show, which was interesting to all users of this class of plant. The dunlicate chain drive from the layshaft back to the pinion and rack drives on the back wheels is a unique feature. A standard five-ton tractor was also staged.
Next in order TASKERS, OF ANDOVER, had a very smart little tractor finished in grey. This was one of their well-known " Little Giant " type, but it, has a winding gear compactly located under the hoiler barrel. Another feature about this machine is the provision of special drilled plates on the back IA the bunker to accommodate a timber jimmy. One of Taskers five-ton steel-ti red steam wagons, which now, in its latest guise, conforms very closely to what is the accepted design of over-type steam wagon, was also on view. We were interested to hear from Mr. Hoare that Taskers have just secured an order for no fewer than ten of these from Whites of ginger-beer fame, and this, we are told, in competition with machines of other makes. This is, indeed, a business success of considerable moment for the Andover works.
GARRETTS, OF LE ISTON, were showing one of their latest superheated steam five-tonners, finished in grey. This is a type with which we have recently conducted exhaustive tests, and we are able to state in advance that, it has achieved most remarkable coal-consumption results. Garretts did not show one of their small tractors.
EARFORD AND PERKINS, OF PETERBOROUGH, at the time of our visit had one of their well-k [town motor rollers on show, in addition to other exhibits which are not of specific interest to readers of this journal.
WALLIS AND STEEVENS, OF BASINGSTOKE, showed a standard fIve-tonner over-type steam wagon, which was lettered for J. A. Willing, haulage contractor, East Brent, Somerset. This same maker had on show one of its standard five-ton steam tractors.
THE YORKSHIRE COMMERCIAL MOTOR CO., . OF HUNSLET, LEEDS, was the only exhibitor showing examples of its steam and petrol productions. The :Xi-cwt, standard petrol van, a type with which we did some tests in the north at the beginning of the year, was exemplified by a chassis. One of the company's standard six-ton steamers, built to the order of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board, was also exhibited.
Three interesting machines were shown by MANN'S, OF LEEDS. These included a new arrangement of steam agricultural tractor, with narrow-track front and pack wheels, and a. small steam roller for the Hereford Corporation. The former machine was shown pulling a four-furrow plough. A Mann fiveton steam wagon was also exhibited. This is a repeat order for T. and J. Wallis, Ltd., millers, of Burton Latimer.
ALLEY AND MACLELLAN-, OF POLMADIE, GLASGOW, staged an example of each ot their t.wp types of steam wagons. This exhibit atiorded an excellent opportunity to contrast the advantages of the two types. The under-type wagon undoubtedly finds very considerable favour in the north, whist the over-type machine sells freely in the south. This is true, on broad lines, of all steam wagons in this country. The under-type Sentinel is lettered, J. and F. Weaver, Swansea, and is a tip-wagon. We were interested to hear that Schweppes Ltd. has just ordered a Sentinel wagon, as well as an Aveling and Porter five-tonner. This list exhausts tl display of heavy road vehicles, and it, must be remarked that the number of steam wagons was considerable, in view of the total number of exhibits in tins section, and the nature of the Show.
In other parts of the ground were exhibited an is h.p. Lacre box van, as well as a Clement box van, by the Bristol Wagon and Carriage Co., and an American Flanders delivery van, which was shown by a local agent.
Amongst other interesting exhibits were the Rarisome's motor rollers, the Palmer tire stand, with the always-interesting cord-wrapping machine in operation, and the Anglo-American Oil Co.'s well-arranged display of their specialities.