Reed.] Report on Steam Cultivation. 120 



Section B. — Medium or Mixed-Land Faems. 



No, 12. September Oth we visited the farms of Messrs. Impey 

 and Bott, of Broom field, near Chelmsford, tenant farmers, who 

 have worked steam in partnership. Mr. Impey occupies a farm 

 of 500 acres, on which 2 horses are sufficient to turn a furrow 

 6 inches deep. He is engaged with Mr. Marriage of Croydon 

 in the wholesale milk trade in London, and keeps from 50 to 100 

 milch-cows ; has but 50 acres of grass land, and is therefore 

 obliged to depend very much upon green crops. Most of the 

 soil rests upon clay: there is a portion upon gravel. All the 

 clay has been drained either by hand or by Eddington's steam 

 mole-plough, the latter work being 10 feet apart, 30 inches deep, 

 and answering admirably. It is done by Messrs. Impey and 

 Bott's own tackle, which is also let out in the district. The 

 gravel land has been drained by hand when needful. The benefits 

 of this work have been much increased by deep steam-tillage. 

 The horses are reduced about one-third in number ; but more 

 is done. The carting of milk and grains occupies several. Mr. 

 Impey, who has employed steam because he wanted more return 

 from his land, says that he has not been disappointed. Not 

 only does the additional power afford facility for getting more 

 crops off the land — for this in a great measure is due to its 

 speed — but by the deeper movement of the soil resources are 

 brought into play which ensure heavier crops. The breadth of 

 the root-crop has undergone no change, but greater weight is 

 attained. A green crop is almost uniformly secured before 

 turnips. Mr. Impey is of opinion that steam is of as much value 

 to him on his light as on his heavy land. 



The farm lies very well for steam. The fields have been enlarged, 

 but no roads have been made. Water of good quality is supplied 

 from ponds within easy reach, and the engine is generally fixed by 

 the side, and feeds itself. Thrift, neatness, superior management, 

 excellent root-crops, strong stubbles were apparent everywhere. 

 No fancies are indulged ; farming is undertaken for profit. 



The Apparatus first obtained was Eddington's. It consisted 

 of 2 engines mounted on windlass frames, a 4-furrow plough 

 and connecting ropes. In this venture, which was found to be 

 " too cumbersome," Mr. Bott took part. It was abandoned for 

 2 sets of Howard's tackle, the engines being retained, together 

 with Fowler's 4-furrow, which are still worked between them. 

 These 2 sets of tackle were bought July, 1861. 



1 set of tackle cost £ 200 



1 eD2;ine 10-horse power, double cylinder, manufactured by) 27Q 



Clayton and Shuttleworth f 



Half the plough _^ 



£550 

 VOL. III. — S. S, K 



