550 



THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



[h) The probable time it will {h i Jc) Not needed, as the trials 



require to generate the are intended to ascertain 



steam (taking water at 60 these facts. 



degrees), and raise it up to 



the working pressure (not 



to exceed 45 lbs. on the 



square inch) ; 

 (i) The quantity of fuel it 



will consume in getting up 



steam ; and 

 {k) The consumption of fuel 



for every hour it is in full 



work. 



3. The engine must be pro- 3. No objection, 

 vided with a good water- 

 gauge, aud a short piece of 



pipe fitted with a cock 

 having a thread to fit the 

 -2'-inch gas thread, for the 

 purpose of fixing a pres- 

 sure gauge. 



4. If the engine ii worked on 4. The engine may have a 

 the expansive principle, no simple cut-off valve, moved 

 complicated means will be by an exceutric for working 

 allowed for cutting off the the steam expansively. No 

 steam. No force-pump force-pump must be fitted 

 must be fitted with more with more than two valves, 

 than two valves, and these and these must be easy of 

 must be easy of access. If access. If a heater for water 

 a heater for water be used, be used, it must be so con- 

 it must be so constructed structed that the engine will 

 that the engine will vrork work either with or with- 

 either with or without it. out it. 



5. The Society will be em- 5. No objection, 

 powered to select any of 



the engines exhibited, for 

 the purpose of driving other 

 machinery under trial, and 

 will pay the cxhibiter £1 

 per day for the use of the 

 engine and a competent 

 attendant during the time 

 the services of such engine 

 may be required. 



6. In adjudicating on the 6. The boiler shall not exceed 

 merits of the portable ft. of fire-surface per horse 

 engines, reference will be power, and shall have a clear 

 had to the price, simplicity wnter space of f of an inch 

 of construction, the means between the tubes. The 

 provided for easy access to Society will furnish a water- 

 the working parts, economy meter to ascertain thequan- 

 of fuel, and to the porta- tity of water in the boiler, 

 bility of the engine, with- and its evaporative power, 

 out losing sight of the 



strength required for safety, 

 and which will be best se- 

 cured by the free use of 

 wrought irou instead of 

 cast. 



7. In adjudicating on the 

 merits of the portable 

 engines, reference will be had 

 to the price, simplicity of 

 construction, the means pro- 

 ^ vided for easy access to the 



working parts, economy of 

 fuel, and to the portability 

 of the engine, without losing 

 sight of the strength re- 

 quired for safety, and which 

 will be beat secured by the 

 free use of wrought iron 

 instead of cast. 



TuxFOED & Sons. 

 Boston and Skirhech Iron Works, Lincolnshire, 

 Nov., 1857. 



" To THE Chairman of the Implement Committee 

 OF THE Royal Agricultural Society of England. 

 " SiK, — Agreeably with the wish contained iu a circular 



dated Sept. 18, and forwarded to us by yu-nr secretary, James 

 Hudson, Esq., we respectfully beg to remark that after careful 

 consideration of the last printed conditions of the society, 

 issued for the guidance of exhibitors of steam engines previous 

 to the trials at Carlisle, in 1855, we find them so nearly con- 

 taining all that is requisite, that we have ventured to remodel 

 them agreeably with our humble opinion, and to submit them 

 for your consideration. We feel that there should be some 

 limit to the amount of fire surface per horse power, but have 

 not presumed to fix the limit, leaving it to your judgment to 

 determine ; at the same time permit us to remark that we 

 have found by practice that 30 feet per horse power is best 

 suited, both for economy and durability, and this is borne out 

 in practice by tho Cornish engineers, where economy is strictly 

 attended to. We would further respectfully suggest that your 

 consulting engineer should have instructions fo define the 

 mode of measurement of the fire surface for the guidance of 

 all exhibitors. " Respectfully, we are. Sir, 



" Your obedient servants, 

 " Boston, Nov. 2, 1857." " Tuxford & Sons. 



STEAM-PLOUGHING NEAR BOSTON. 



Fowler's steam plough has been operating for two days 

 (November 19th and 20th) on the farm of Messrs. Cliarles 

 and John Swaiu, at East Ville, near Boston. Much interest 

 v/as caused by tho experiment, and many visitors attended 

 the trials — some from simple curiosity, some to make their 

 own observations, and many to hear the opinion of Mr. Swain 

 upon the subject ; This gentleman, be it known, is one of the 

 most enterprising and successful agriculturists in that portion 

 of England, and farming upwards of two thousand acres of 

 the rich lands of Lincolnshire. 



With the true hospitality of an Englishman, Mr. Swaia 

 threw open the doors of East Ville House, and made all 

 welcome who there gave a call An admission fee of Is. 

 was enforced at the gate of the trial-field, which went towards 

 the expense of getting the engine, ploughs, and tackle there ; 

 but was put in force more for the purpose of keeping the field 

 clear than for anything else. 



The soil operated upon was of a moory nature, the farm at 

 East Ville being all fen land. The field was 400 yards long. 

 The furrows were 10 inches wide and 5 inches deep. Four 

 ploughs worked together, thus turning 4 furrows at once. 

 The time occupied in drawing the 4 ploughs the length of the 

 field, or 400 yards, averaged 4^ minutes. The loss of time at 

 the ends of the field in reversing ploughs, &c., averaged IJ 

 minute each change, and a further loss was found, averaging 

 about 1^ minute iu every 36 minutes. Taking the results of 

 36 minutes, we have 25 minutes of ploughing and 11 minutes 

 of delays, with an area of 2,666 yards' ploughing, being at the 

 rate of 9 acres and a fifth of land ploughing-up per day of ten 

 hours. 



At 60 pounds pressure, which the engine was working at, 

 its power might be estimated at nineteen-horse. The at- 

 tendants were 2 men at engine and 1 carrying water, 2 men 

 at the ploughs, and 2 boys with the rope-carriers. 



In roughly calculatiug the cost of ploughing, certain un- 

 known quantities must be assumed. The amount, therefore, 

 for interest of outlay, wear, and repairs, is assumed at £120 

 per annum, and the time the engine and ploughs might be at 

 work is supposed 180 days, or 30 weeks; so thus, to the 

 weekly working expenses £4 would require to be added, or 

 13s. 4d. per day. Again, as consideraale loss in time is ex- 

 perienced in removal from one field to another, and in setting 

 the engine, rope, anchor, &c., it will not be unfair to assume 

 that but 5 clear days of working should be calculated in the 

 week. 



The wages of the attendants will stand as follows : engine- 

 man, per day, 43.; man assisting at engine with rope, 23. 6d.; 

 ploughman, 3s.; man attending infield, 2s. 6d. ; two boys 

 with the rope carriers, at Is. 6d. each; man and horie with 

 water-cart, say 6s.; making, per day, 21s. : to which add coal, 

 oil, Sic, say 143. ; and ISs. 4d. for interest, wear, and repairs, 

 and we have a total of £2 Ss. 4d. per day, or £14 lOs. per 

 week. 



