At the mechanical science section of the British Asso- ciation
Sir Douglas Fox, in the course of his speech as President, dwelt in terms of optimistic prophecy on the future of the auto-car. He believes that it may solve a part of the agricultural problem by solving the difficulties of transport. The cars could use existing roads, run into the
farmyard or field, and receive or deliver produce at first hand. Sir Douglas Fox had to admit, however, that the present auto-cars are far from satisfactory. " They are ugly in appearance, noisy, difficult to steer, and vibrate very much with the revolutions of their engines, rising as they do to 400 per minute; those driven by oil give out offensive odours, and cannot be readily started, so that the engines run on during short stops." These difficulties, however, would be got over in time. The highway authorities should certainly welcome the newcomer, for it is estimated that two-thirds of the present wear and tear of roads is caused by horses and one- third only by wheels. Meantime it is announced that we are very shortly to have electric omnibuses running in the London streets. That will give us an excellent opportunity for testing this method of conveyance.
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