202 



The Influence of the 



than horses, the roots being able to run downwards for moisture 

 after those on the horse-ploughed land had ripened off for want 

 of it. In my opinion many farmers make a great mistake in 

 ploughing too deep on stiff land, turning up a lot of cold virgin 

 clay to the surface at one operation instead of doing it gradually 

 and cultivating deeply with an implement which would stir the 

 subsoil, without bringing it to the surface, and would let the 

 water off in wet weather and allow the roots to get moisture in 

 dry. The high price of coal, and the difficulty of getting it, is. 

 telling very much against the Company at the present time. 

 At Christmas, 1872, we had 400 names of customers in our 

 ledger ; only 100 of these have employed us in 1873, and 100 

 new customers. If they would sell some of their horses and 

 regularly employ steam I am sure it would be to their advan- 

 tage ; but where the bill for steam cultivation is an extra it i* 

 often a serious item." 



Table VI. — Work done by 20 Sets of Fowler's Double-Engine 

 Tackle in Northumberland, Berwickshire, and Eoxburghshibe. 



1871. 



1872. 



1873. 



Acres Ploughed 

 „ Cultivated 

 „ Harrowed 



6,910 

 8,711. 



7,892 



5,588 



8,524 



12,974 



7,993 



8,503 



11,689 



The following is a reprint of the third of the price cards sent 

 by Mr. Hobbs : — 



Northumberland Steam Cultivation Company, Limited, Town 



Hall Buildings, Cloth Market, Ne\vcastle-on-Tyne. 



Kevised Prices. 



Commencing 1st September, 1873. 



Cultivating with Light Land Cultivator by special agreement. 



