1 74 Progress of Agricultural Knoicledge 



liand-labour. Those who wish to make tiles will determine for 

 themselves which is the best. Mr. Burke entertains, and has ex- 

 pressed in a note/' a decided opinion; but I need not enter into 



* The owners of all tile-machines severally profess theirs to be the best. 

 I am not personally interested in any of them ; but having written on the 

 subject, and not only made anxious inquiries regarding it, but also practi- 

 cally examined several of the tiles in different parts of the kingdom, I une- 

 quivocally state that those made under the Tweeddale patent are superior 

 to all others ; for they are made at one operation, by the uniform power of 

 machinery, the compression of which renders them more sohd, and conse- 

 quently more durable, than those made by hand. In saying this, I have no 

 wish to detract from the merit of Beart's invention ; but the so-called 

 *' machine^'' though useful in the preparation of the clay, is, in fact, a mere 

 tool^ and goes no farther ; the tile being actually made, as in every other 

 case (except the Tweeddale), entirely by hand. In comparing the price of 

 tiles and soles, the length is seldom named, and they are usually not longer 

 than 12 inches: now the Tweeddale tiles are fifteen inches ; wherefore, the 

 number required by Beart's tiles, at the closest distance of drainage, is 

 2440, whilst those of the Tweeddale patent would only be 1952. The price 

 of the latter, as I learn from the patentees, varies, according to the price of 

 coals, from 25^. to 45*. per thousand. The cost of draining an acre could, 

 therefore, never be much more than that of Beart's, while the difference, 

 both in quahty, labour in laying down, and real usefulness, would be still 

 greater than in quantity. 



It is false economy to drain land with inferior tiles. They may suit the 

 object of a tenant who looks only to the duration of his lease*; but the 

 owner of the soil, who has at heart his own interest and that of his heirs, 

 should see that the work is done in the most substantial and imperishable 

 manner. The saving of a few shillings in the price of the tiles is to him, 

 therefore, not worth consideration ; and I should imagine that landlords 

 and trustees, when raising money for that purpose under the Drainage Act, 

 will be compelled by the Court of Chancery to use the most efficient means 

 in their power. The subjoined letter from the agent to the Tweeddale pa- 

 tentees will afford all the necessary inform^ation regarding the price and 

 formation of their tiles. — J. French Burke. 



*' I understand that you want some information in regard to the improve- 

 ments recently patented in the Tweeddale drain-tile and brick machinery, 

 and as those additions are of very great importance to agriculturists, as well 

 as to the trade, I have much pleasure in complying with your wish. 



" The Tweeddale machinery, in its original state, was intended to perform 

 several functions in the manufacture of bricks and tiles beyond what were 

 absolutely necessary in most cases. In consideration of those objects it was 

 indispensable to employ great 'power to work the machines, and the expense 

 was consequently, perhaps, too heavy for general adoption. On this account 

 the Company instituted a series of experiments, and at much outlay have 

 effected the important result of, — 1st, a considerable reduction in the price 

 of the machinery ; 2nd, a vast abatement in the patent dues on seignorage ; 

 and, 3rd, a diminution of power from that of horses down to the labour of 

 one man, or even a boy. Hence I can confidently assure you that, in the 

 essential points of quantiiy, quaJHy, and cheapness (length for length), it is 

 utterly impossible for any other existing machine to compete fairly and 

 successfully with those of this Company. Among other advantages, I would 

 beg leave to mention that our machinery, as now arranged, may be pro- 

 fitably adapted to the very smallest establishm.ent ; that it may be worked 

 by one person as easily as a grindstone ; that it is portable ; and that bricks 

 and tiles, of the best kind, can be produced by ordinary labourers and boys. 



