110 Report on Steam Cultivation. [Eeed. 



are estimated at 30^. a year, of which only one-half is charged to 

 cultivation, the engine being otherwise employed. The repairs 

 are greatest on the rope and the snatch-blocks. In 1864, 800 

 yards of fresh rope were obtained of excellent quality, and last 

 spring 800 yards more. 



Work done, and Mode of Working. — During day of 10 hours, 

 first time over with 3 tines, removals included, 7 acres ; with 5 

 tines 10 acres, 6 inches being about the greatest depth — " quite 

 deep enough." The steam pressure averages 53 lbs. ; the 

 removals take 6 horses 4 hours. Notwithstanding the continuous 

 rain since harvest, we found during our walk across the farm that 

 fully 180 acres had been broken up after the crop. A consider- 

 able portion of this had grown turnip-seed, and the apparatus 

 was engaged upon it all the harvest. We visited no farm on 

 which the tackle had been so efficiently used during the pre- 

 ceding 3 months. The land so treated was lying in a fme rough 

 state, and, like the reedy stubble, presented a very clean face. 

 The engine was working when we saw it, and the tackle, with 

 the exception of the cultivator, which was weak and strained, was 

 in a fair state. Mr. Barton uses two snatch-blocks and anchors 

 on each headland, and was about the first to do so. By this 

 means he avoids stoppages. He has also introduced two small 

 wheels in the framework of the snatch-block to facilitate its 

 transport. To prepare for roots, the wheat-stubble is broken up 

 by steam in the autumn, then manured and ploughed with 

 horses. The remaining operations depend upon the state of the 

 weather. A plough is " much wanted," so that the engine may 

 be at work when the cultivator cannot be used. 



Cost of Work. — This is estimated by Mr. Barton at 65. an acre, 

 besides interest and depreciation ; of this sum rope costs \s., and 

 "other repairs" Is. per acre. An average year's work is about 

 400 acres of tillage. The first rope was bad, and cost Is. GcZ. per 

 acre. The manual and horse labour costs — 



£. s. d. 



Engine-man 03 



Windlass-man 3 



Ploughman 012 



2 anchor-men 34 



3 hoys '^ ^ ^ 



Water-cart, boy and horse 3 2 



15 10 



Oil 10 



Coal .. ..086 



15 4 

 N.B.— The men -work now by the day. The first 2 years they worked by 

 the piece, 2s. (jd. an acre divided amongst them, but they could not agree. 

 Consumption of coal, per day of 10 hours, 10 cwts. = 7s. did. 



