Reed.] Report on Steam Cultivation. 189 



The wages for ordinary labourers, 10s. a week, are high, consider- 

 ing their indifferent character. The hours of labour, from 6 a.m. 

 till 5'30. The employment of steam gives him advantages, for 

 the best class of men crave the better wages connected with its 

 use, and are stimulated to better pace. j\Ir. Lancashire very sen- 

 sibly trains the men to the use of the engine ; he explains to 

 them sectional drawings of the machinery, thoroughly indoc- 

 trinates them into its principles, ensuring at the same time that 

 they possess a competent knowledge of the combustion of fuel 

 and the production and expansion of steam. 



Mr. Lancashire's experience indicates that the employment of 

 steam tends to lengthen the labour-list. This ought not to sur- 

 prise us if we bear in mind that the engine only " cuts out the 

 work " of more thorough and frequent tillage, leaving the finish- 

 ing touches to be done by the hands. Since these run short, 

 he is obliged, like the American fanner, to resort to various 

 implements. He owns 2 large corn-mowing and 3 grass-mowing 

 machines. With the former, supported by 8 scythes, day by 

 day he swept down 46 acres of corn, and was placed very 

 advantageously in advance of several neighbours, who were 

 caught by the heavy rains. To keep these machines thoroughly 

 employed in their several seasons, 12 horses are needed. The 

 entire stud consists of 14, that is 2 to each 100 acres. To have 

 produced part only of the change he has done, " would," to use 

 his own words, " have required 20 horses." 



The Apparatus was bought of Messrs. J. and F. Howard in 1861. 



The Engine, an 8-horse power double cylinder, was made by 

 Messrs. Tuxford, and having been worked six years was pur- 

 chased for 1 30Z. The new engine works up to 100 lbs. steam- 

 pressure with as much safety as some engines with 45 lbs. This 

 is due to extra stays, the advantages of which are not sufficiently 

 known. A thick boiler-plate, unstayed, is of little advantage. 

 If guaranteed to work to lOO lbs., an engine stands much longer 

 than one of inferior strength. 



The Cultivator, windlass, 1400 yards of rope, porters, from 

 Bedford, cost 240/. 



Repair, Renewals, Wear and Tear. — The engine : during the 

 four first years repairs did not reach 5/. ; those incurred were 

 due to frost. The slightness of the expense is attributed to the 

 use of the fluid already mentioned. The repairs in 1865 were 

 5/. A stronger engine being required, the one of 8-horse power 

 was valued at 130/., returned to the makers, who, on receipt of 

 170/. in addition, sent a 10-horse power engine extra stayed. 

 " The engine does not cost 9^. a day to keep in repair and renew 

 in 8 years. If I lay by 7^. a day. Air. Tuxford would be willing 

 to renew it for the sum of the deposits so made, whenever it shall 



