580 Report on the Exhibition and Trial of Imj)lcments 



tear, interest of capital, and all expenses, amounts to about 8s. per acre. TLere 

 is much to commend in the ingenuity and simplicity of Mr. Smith's arrange- 

 ments, and he has no doubt done nmchin showing the mode of applying steam 

 to the traction of field implements. Mr. Smith does not invert the land, he 

 says his system of cultivation does not require it, and he does not tliink that 

 inversion of the soil is of much moment. There can, however, be no difficulty 

 in attaching ploughs to Mr. Smith's traction-ropes by those who prefer them. 



The Judges think Mr. Smith mistaken in not aiming at complete inversion 

 of the soil, but, however that may be, the condition of the prize is that the 

 implement shall " turn over the soil," and as this is contrary to Mr. Smith's 

 present system, the Judges can only report that, in their opinion, Mr. Smith's 

 present cultivators do not conform to the conditions on which the Society's 

 prize is offered. 



Mr. Fowler's arrangements consist of a portable double cylinder engine, 

 driving a capstan by a short endless chain, and stationed half way down one 

 side of the field. Two wire ropes are led from the drum across the field direct 

 to the two ends of the work, then passing round two anchored pulleys and 

 meeting at the implement. The anchors are most ingenious, and consist of 

 two trucks filled with earth, with sharp cutting discs for wheels which cut 

 into the land, and, though easily moved forward along the headland, present 

 great lateral resistance towards the engine. The implement of cultivation is a 

 frame of wood to which 8 ploughs are attached, 4 working at once, and 

 4 pointed in the opposite direction for the return. The work of common 

 l^loughing, both on light and heavy land, was extremely well done, and two 

 subsoil-ploughs were drawn with great steadiness through the strongest land 

 at a depth of 10 inches, which on trial required the power of 10 horses to pull 

 them. The Judges, in common they believe with every one who saw the 

 operation, were quite satisfied that ploughing could be done in the best manner 

 by ]\Ir. Fowler's machine, and on clay land with the imp)ortant advantage of 

 avoiding the injurious effects from the tread of horses. 



The only question was whether the machine was an economical substitute 

 for the plough, and to arrive at some conclusion on this point a further trial 

 was agreed to be made at Boxted Lodge. 



On the 14th of August a long and careful trial took place on a field of wheat 

 stubble on Mr. Hobbs' estate, in the presence of the Judges of the Society, 

 Mr. Amos the engineer, Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, and a great number of spectators. 

 The ploughing was again admirably done, fully equal in regularity and 

 precision to anything that could be done by horse labour. To estimate the 

 cost of the operation was a work of great care and time, and Mr. Amos has 

 given the result in the table which is subjoined. 



By this table the money cost of ploughing is shown to be 7s. 2^d. per acre. 

 The Judges are of opinion that the cost of the like work by horse })Ower would 

 be at least 7s. per acre, leaving the cost of the two processes almost identical. 



Under these circumstances, although the Judges cannot say that the con- 

 ditions of the prize are fully met, yet the improvement efi'ected is so great, 

 and the prospect of early and complete success so ]irol)able, that they specially 

 recommend Mr. Fowler's apparatus to the favourable notice of the Council, in 

 consideration of the skill he has displayed, the labour and expense incurred, 

 and the degree of success he has so honourably achieved. 



In closing this Keport, the Judges desire to express their thanks to 

 Mr. Hobbs, for the facilities so kindly afforded by him in the course of these 

 trials ; and for his liberal hospitality and obliging consideration to themselves, 

 and all engaged in these exjieriments. 



Thos. Huskixson. \ 



H. B. Caldwell. I Judges of Field 



Clake Sewell Kead. j Implements. 



Wm. Chalcp.aft. J 



