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The International Exhibition: Ransome and Sims' agricultural machinery - from a photograph by the London Stereoscopic Company, 1862. 'Amongst the great changes which have marked the progress of British agriculture during the last twenty years, scarcely one is more remarkable than the readiness with which agriculturists have adopted the uses of machinery...In this trade the name which stands out most prominently...is that of Ransome...[which has] the largest...[and] the most comprehensive display of farm machinery in the section...A case containing the gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded to the firm occupies the centre of the gallery-front, and immediately under it is placed a horizontal steam-engine of 15-horse power...At the extreme limits of the stand are placed two portable engines...Between [these]...and adapted to be driven by them, are placed two large-combined steam-thrashing machines, each capable of delivering an imperial bushel of perfectly-dressed grain per minute...Upstairs, in the gallery, are the new self-raking sheaf-delivery-reaper...; the smaller class of machines for preparing food for cattle; and also a representative assortment of the patent ploughs for which this firm has been so long and so deservedly celebrated'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862. Creator: Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Heritage Images via Getty Images)