MECHANICS AND USEFUL ARTS. 93 



The drivers arc ien feet in diameter, made of |-inch boiler iron, and with a 

 face of 2(3 inches. They have each two sets of bar-iron spokes, crossing each 

 other so as to brace both ways, like a trotting- wagon. There are two steer- 

 ing wheels in front, 5 feet in diameter, 13 inches face, and arc turned by a 

 worm and chain by a crank by the engineer, who stands in front, at the 

 right hand of the boiler. The main axle is of 4-inch round iron, and fitted 

 with oil-tight boxes. The boiler is the horizontal tubular one used on loco- 

 motives, has 90 2-inch tubes, and a 2 by 3 feet fire-box that may be used for 

 either wood or coal. The boiler is bolted to the axle by clamps, and in 

 front by a light frame which rests upon the axle of the steering-wheels. 

 Motion is given to the drivers by a pinion working into internal gearing 

 which extends all around the inner face of the drivers; the pinion is turned 

 by its wheel gearing into the engine-shaft direct. To prevent slipping of the 

 wheels, pyramidal-shaped ribs of iron are bolted diagonally across the face 

 of the drivers. The inventor claims that the weight of the engine is so placed, 

 that, from the enormous diameter of the drivers, it is thrown upon their for- 

 ward face, and quite removed from the steering-wheels. The great size is 

 given to the main wheels to prevent miring in soft ground, they being large 

 enough to cross an ordinary slough before they would have time to sink. 

 A tank beneath the boiler holds five barrels of water, which may be pumped 

 into the boiler at will. A tender, or two-wheeled cart carries fifteen barrels 

 more, and on its deck coal and wood enough for a day's work. This tender 

 may be detached, and left at one side of the field, or dragged behind the en- 

 gine, and in front of the ploughs, as desired. The ploughs are fifteen in num- 

 ber, attached firmly to a triangular frame, which runs on castor-wheels at 

 the corners. They are not separate and independent in attachment, like 

 Fawkcs's, so that some of them would miss in passing over basins, and dig 

 deep in going through hillocks, without compromise or evasion of obstacles. 

 There are two gangs, one having eight, the other seven, ploughs. "\Vith 

 frames, wheels, and all, the two weigh easily GOOD pounds, while the engine 

 itself is claimed to weigh only seven tons. N. Y. Tribune. 



The Committee of the Illinois State Agricultural Society report, concern- 

 ing this invention, as follows : 



Waters's engine has undoubtedly great power, but has some objectionable 

 features as well. There being four cylinders, the machinery is made more 

 complicated, and by so much the less easy of management by farmers. The 

 four cylinders are necessary to a machine like this, which has two large trav- 

 elling-wheels, to keep each of which in motion at will, a pair of cylinders 

 must be used; for without them it would not be possible to get the wheels off 

 centres under some circumstances. The revolutions of the engine being 24 

 to each one of the drivers, speed of locomotion is not obtained commensu- 

 rate with the speed of the engine. The great length of the train of engine, 

 tender, and ploughs, makes it unwieldy to handle, and prevents trimming up 

 corners of lots and banks of sloughs and basins, where much waste of land 

 would be caused. It also is asserted by the inventor that his field is not back 

 furrowed and finished up, but a strip of fifty feet is left in the middle to be 

 finished by horse power. The tractive power of the engine, when at work, 

 seemed ample ; but we are not prepared to say that such would be the case 

 throughout a day's work, but suppose it would. The two pairs of cylinders 

 being independent of each other, a serious obstruction to one driver might 

 cause it to slip, Avhilc the other held its tractive power; thus there would be 

 a tendency to throwing out of line. The internal gears of the drivers being 



