88 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



the platform of the engine. This turns a clutch into gear, which gives motion 

 to the windlass to Avhich the hoisting-chains are attached. The chain is so 

 arranged as to draw the points of the ploughs out of the ground first, and 

 when it has wound to a certain point, it throws itself out of gear, and thus 

 the ploughs, swinging clear of the ground, may be transported anywhere. 

 To lower them, he gives two whistles, and the lever is drawn, which lets the 

 ploughs down to work. Enough slack is given to the chains to suffer the 

 ploughs to turn furrows of even depth in all inequalities of ground. 



This engine (30 horse) is estimated to consume 1'2 bushels of coal per 

 diem, and with plough complete, costs 83-300. When not in use for plough- 

 ing, the inventor proposes to apply the motive power of the machine to any 

 other purposes deemed desirable, and has arranged the details of the mech- 

 anism with that end in view. 



To pump water into the boiler, he uses a donkey-pump, and can use it 

 when either stationary or in motion, and with a length of hose can run 

 alongside a ditch, well, or brook, and fill his tank without trouble. IVtw 

 York Tribune. 



The following is an abstract of the report of the committee appointed on 

 behalf of the Illinois State Agricultural Society, September 183D, to exam- 

 ine and practically test the invention of Mr. Fawkes. The trials were made 

 on the " Fair Grounds " of the Society, at Freeport, Illinois. 



To form a complete conception of this steam plough, let the committee 

 recall the appearance of a small-sized tender of a locomotive engine; let 

 about half the forward portion of the sides and tank be removed. We now 

 have something which resembles the body of Fawkes's machine. In the 

 middle of the forward portion of the platform stands the upright boiler, 

 which is about 01 feet high, and 4 feet in diameter, the fire-box and ash-pit 

 being of course below the level of the platform, and the fire-door opening 

 forward. The boiler contains 2:20 8j- inch tubes, which, computed together 

 with the fire-box, gives 37-3 feet of fire-surface. Steam may be got up in 15 

 minutes, although twice that time is usually necessary. The fuel may either 

 be bituminous coal or wood. The cylinders are horizontal, 9 inches in diam- 

 eter, and 15 inch stroke, and are placed one on each side of the boiler. 

 The pistons communicate motion, not to the side-wheels, but to a drum or 

 roller, 6 feet in diameter, and feet long, which, as the sides of the plat- 

 form overhang its end, is comparatively out of sight. The drum is placed 

 about midway between the front and back of the machine; before it de- 

 pends the fire-box, and behind it is the tank ; so that, when the boiler and 

 tank are full, they nearly counterbalance each other on the axles of the 

 driving-drum. 



This drum is composed of two iron heads, or " spiders," and an interme- 

 diate one ; to these, thick, narrow planks, cut like staves, and fitting closely, 

 are bolted, and form the periphery. The adhesion is, therefore, produced 

 by a surface of wood, six feet long, which never becomes polished, and the 

 bearing of which is always across the grain. There is no slipping; the 

 machine is started and stopped instantly; and, except when propelling itself 

 a considerable distance on turnpike or paved roads, the wear and tear is 

 slight. The substitution of the driving-roller for the ordinary side-wheels, 

 wonderfully increases traction, and prevents sloughing in wet or yielding 

 soil; while moderate irregularities of surface scarcely affect the onward 

 march of the plough. Another great advantage is gained by the gearing of 

 the drum. Instead of being attached directly to a crank on the axle of the 



