152 Report on Steam Cultivation. [Heed. 



justified by the fact that at the last distribution of awards the Eye 

 Association not only gave the prize to Mr. Cooper for the best 

 cultivated farm, but also gave him the cup for the best flax-crop. 

 The farm consists of 800 acres arable, 300 pasture, in- 

 clusive of sheep walk. Mr. Cooper is a most decided advocate 

 for steam cultivation. M. Bate, a thoroughly practical observer, 

 not yet in a position to employ steam (and referred to in 

 No. 20), expressed himself before the Eye Farmers' Club in 

 the following language, two years since : — " Mr. Cooper informs 

 me, after an experience of four years, that he would on no 

 account farm without steam. He noAV grows on most of 

 his fallow land an intermediate crop, such as tares, rye, Italian 

 rye-grass, cabbages, coleseed, so as to enable him to keep 

 an immense quantity of stock. He has reduced his horses, 

 and is still able to do a great deal of claying without 

 extra strength, which used to be done by extraneous hands at 

 Id. and 8c?. a load. I have known his land for many years, and 

 can bear testimony to its improvement. A large portion is of a 

 description most difficult to keep free from grass — more parti- 

 cularly with the intermediate green croppings, and this used 

 to be a source of annoyance and hindrance ; but steam has 

 beaten, and, as far as I can see, eradicated it." After a further 

 experience of two years, Mr. Cooper more than confirmed this 

 statement. It has enabled him, he said, to increase his head of 

 stock per acre, and to grow more corn. Much of this would 

 doubtless have been done without steam, and is due to liberal 

 manuring ; but, as we have before observed, the virtue of manure, 

 like the virtue of drainage, is educed by deep culture. The land 

 now usually carries 700 ewes, 1000 hoggets, besides lambs in 

 the spring, 130 neat-stock, and never less than 100 pigs, of 

 which several hundred are frequently grazed in the yards when 

 the cattle are fatted off. This increase of stock is effected by 

 the increased facilities for the growth of rye as spring green 

 food ; steam has rendered it possible to get 150 acres in place of 

 35 acres. In place of 30 horses we found 18, or 2 to 90 acres 

 arable. These animals looked in good condition, and are not 

 worked so hard, we were assured, as they were formerly. Be 

 it observed that the horse-power employed before steam was 

 equal to 2 horses to 60 acres, which is not greater than some 

 men seem to think it necessary to have at command in addition 

 to a steam-engine and tackle ! The farm is cultivated on the 

 4-course system, allowing for 2 crops in the fallow shift. Steam 

 has not made much way on the Duke of Grafton's estate as yet, 

 though we cannot imagine how, within the sphere of such an 

 example, men who are possessed of sufficient capital can resist 

 the temptation offered to them. 



