162 



Report on Steam Cultivation. 



[Eeed. 



which can be readily ploughed from the various roads that 

 divide them and cut one another nearly at right angles. This 

 Avork has cost 700Z., but the removal of the hedges is equivalent 

 to the gain of 10 acres for which rent formerly was paid. 

 A great portion of the outlay was made in reclaiming the heath 

 and fox cover, which had not paid rent. 



The soil, which is thin, and mainly the result of vegetable 

 decay, lies upon a gravel subsoil, which, allowing the water to 

 percolate freely, admits of the closing of every open ditch which 

 previously existed. 



The water is obtained partly from ponds and partly by means 

 of 5 wells sunk at various parts of the farm to a depth of 

 50 feet. 



We have already stated that in 1860 both Howard's and 

 Fowler's sets of tackle were purchased and worked vigorously 

 for two seasons. During the third and subsequent seasons one 

 apparatus alone has been used. In conjunction with steam, 

 8 horses have been employed. United they have wrought a 

 change in about two years which, if left to the 14 horses that 

 are considered sufficient to work a farm of this size, would have 

 required fully 7 years, and then have been done less effectively. 

 The two sets consist of the following members. 



Folders. — A 10-horse power Engine manufactured by Clay- 

 ton and Shuttleworth, a 4-furrow plough, used as a plough and 

 digger, 800 yards of rope ; cost, 700/. 



Hoicard^s. — A Cultivator, 1600 yards of rope, windlass, 

 porters, &c. ; cost, 200/. 



The cultivator and windlass of this set is considered too light. 

 It appeared to have been much strained : but the rope was in 

 excellent condition. 



Repairs, Reneivals, and Wear and Tear of Fowler's tackle will 

 chiefly be gathered from the annexed summary. The repairs 

 are averaged at 100/. a year. The rope is estimated to cost 

 \s. per acre ; ploughshares, and other wearing parts, \s. per acre. 

 The Work done per day of 10 hours, cultivating from 3 to 4 

 acres 8 to 12 inches deep, including removals. 



1860 

 1861 



1862 

 1863 

 1864 

 1865 



FOWLEE. 

 Acres. S. 



138 at 10 . 



663 



182 

 83 



133 

 40 



1239 



14 

 15 

 12 

 15 



Farm Account. 



1861 

 1862 

 1863 



1864 



Howard. 



Acres. S. £. S. (/. 



179 at 8 .. 71 10 



193 „ 8 .. 77 14 



83 „ 10 .. 41 10 



455 190 14 



