196 Report on Steam Caltiixdion. [Reeu. 



engine to be able to drive it. But for this knowledge many of 

 the most successful cases we have reported would, owing to the 

 suspicion and antagonism of labourers, have proved complete 

 failures. A trained mechanic is often a difficult person to 

 manage, while an untrained labourer is dangerous. 



Piece-work in steam culture is not always to be recommended. 

 Some farmers who have tried it say that the work is more quickly 

 done, but that it loses in thoroughness, and there are more break- 

 ages. For instance, Mr. Arnot (No. 29) considers that piece-work 

 is " scamped." 



As to the several parts of the apparatus, Ave have observed too 

 commonly in the engines a want of sufficient steam-space. Then 

 the proper pace in driving is not sufficiently attended to. An 

 engine-maker adapts all the parts for the performance of a 

 certain number of revolutions per minute, and the nearer this 

 normal speed is adhered to the more duty is got out of the 

 engine ; therefore it is bad policy to make the number of revo- 

 lutions irregular by too great stress of work — rather decrease the 

 load, to keep up the speed. The greatest injury done to engines 

 is not in ploughing, but in shifting ; the rapid reversing, so often 

 most carelessly done, is that which most tries an engine. 



One point worthy of notice is the benefit derived from the use 

 of Le Franc's liquid, an account of which is given in the report of 

 Mr. Lancashire's farm (No. o2). The necessity of smith's-shops, 

 engine-houses, and other conveniences, requires more attention. 



The question between the cultivator and the plough is not 

 to be very easily settled. We have come to this conclusion, 

 however, that a plough is a very valuable adjunct to a cultivator, 

 enabling the engine much to enlarge the sphere of its action. 

 There are seasons when a cultivator cannot be worked to advan- 

 tage, but when a plough certainly can ; and the absence of a 

 plough operates as an excuse for the keeping of more horses 

 than are really required. We found among those farmers who 

 have hitherto employed cultivators only, a general desire to have 

 a plough in addition ; we also found that those farmers who 

 have ploughs, used them. 



The ropes made during the last few years are of much im- 

 proved quality, Mr. Arnot savs that ropes of 18G1-2 are twice 

 as good as those of 1859. We subjoin information obtained 

 from Messrs. Glass and Elliot, 23, Great George-street, West- 

 minster, on this important subject. 



Their foreman states that improvements have been made of 

 late in the machinery, rather than in the way of manufacturing 

 the steel-wire ropes, and that their greater uniformity of temper 

 and extra toughness has given them an increase in strength of 

 more than one- third over those sent out in 1860. 



