Eeed.] 



Report on Steam Cultivation. 



101 



warped bj the sea to a depth of from 7 to 10 inches. The 

 section is as follows : — 



The steam-plough is useful 



Top soil 7 to 10 inches. 



Blue clay 10 to 15 feet. 



Beach 20 feet. 



400 feet London Clay, 

 through which artesian 

 ■wells are sunk for good 

 water. 



on the home farin ; it is indis- 

 pensable on Wallasea, where 

 horses cannot plough the re- 

 quired depth. The land lies 

 all or nearly so in stetches, 7 

 or 8 feet wide, watei'-furrowed. 

 Some hesitating attempts have 

 been made to lay it flat, and 

 these having generally failed, 

 a bar is put against progress in 

 this direction. The fact is that 

 the initial work of drainage 

 remains to be done, as is often 

 the case in Essex, owing to a 

 conviction either that there is 

 no fall, or that the clay will 

 not permit of the descent of 

 rain-water. The farm lies well 

 for steam ; the fields are large^ 

 and some have been made 

 removal of fences. At home a good supply of 

 water is obtained from ponds; in Wallasea from five artesian 

 wells, which produce water of excellent quality. Great changes 

 have been effected in the system of culture ; bare fallows every 

 sixth year have been abandoned. Italian rye-grass or tares now 

 take their place. These are mown for cattle soiled in the 

 yards. Sheep are kept — not a breeding flock, but hoggets pur- 

 chased in spring and sold before winter in store condition. Mr. 

 Allen spoke very confidently of the increased bulk of his crops 

 since the application of steam ; no special comparative instances 

 were adduced ; but this opinion would, in Mr. Allen's case, be 

 founded on accurate observation. He experiences just those 

 difficulties which any one would expect to meet with who 

 attempted to cultivate by steam a heavy-land farm not previously 

 drained. In a wet time, of course, the hindrances due to rain 

 are increased. 



The Apparatus was bought of Messrs. J. Fowler and Co. in 

 1862. It consisted of an einjine of 14-horse power, a A-fiirroto 

 plouf/h, a cultivator, 800 yards of rope, anchor, and porters ; price 

 1000/. 



There is upon the farm another steam-engine of 8-horse power. 

 Both are employed for thrashing, grinding, and other work. 

 Repairs, Renewals, Wear and Tear. — The main expenses are 



