2004/28/1-3

This is an electronic capacitance probe, used for measuring grass yields. It consists of a rectangular metal frame with 15 long protruding rods, and an oblong metal box with a leather carrying strap. There is also a wooden-cased box for taking readings from the probe, with a canvas carrying strap, and a flat metal frame for earmarking the plot to be tested. It was used at the Grassland Research Institute in Hurley between 1965 and 1968. This device sped up a previously manual process whereby a plot of grass would have been cut up and taken away for testing. The capacitance probe was inserted into the ground and a reading was taken in seconds.

1 electronic capacitance probe: metal, leather, wood; good condition2. A wooden cased box for taking readings from the probe. Has dials and switches on top, and a long canvas strap affixed at the sides for carrying. 3. Flat, rectangular metal frame (fairly rusty) for earmarking plot to be tested.

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'CAPACITANCE PROBE // Description // 1 Electronic capacitance probe. Consists of: // (1) Rectangular metal frame protruding from which are 15 long rods, each being tapered at the tip. On top of the frame sits an oblong metal box, across which passes a leather carrying strap. // (2) A wooden cased box for taking readings from the probe. Has dials and switches on top, and a long canvas strap affixed at the sides for carrying. // (3) Flat, rectangular metal frame (fairly rusty) for earmarking plot to be tested. // Dimensions // (1) 54 x 36 x 58cm (l x w x h) // (2) 25 x 13.5 x 24 (l x w x h) // (3) 70 x 45cm (l x w) // Associated information // Electronic device for measuring grass yields. Used at the Grassland Research Institute, Hurley, between 1965-1968. // This device vastly speeded up a process previously done manually. // A small plot of grass would originally have been cut up and taken away for testing. With this device, the probe would have been prodded into the ground and a reading taken within seconds.', MERL miscellaneous note - 'See articles from the journal of the British Grassland Society (given by Dr Tayler on 1st December 2004)'

1965 - 1965

Wood, Metal, Leather