244 ' Repoi't on Steam Cultivation. [Claeke. 



or 6 Indies deep ; the fields average 27 acres, and tolerably 

 level. Removal takes 8 horses about 3 hours. The coal burnt 

 is 10 cwts. a day, at 20^, per ton. The engine does the farm 

 thrashing : if the cultivator is let out on hire the charge for 

 cultivating and crossing is 2(\v. per acre. 



Another form of windlass, presenting considerable advantages 

 in stopping, starting, and braking, is made by Messrs. Tasker, of 

 Andover. We regret that we were unable to see one, as we 

 had intended, working for Mr. James Rawlence, of Bulbridge, 

 Salisbury. We understand that several are in operation in that 

 neighbourhood. 



No. 56. Mr. Thomas Revis, of Olney, Buckinghamshire, 

 occupies 800 acres arable, of loam clay and gravel, on a subsoil 

 of clay and chalk stone ; most part of the surface level, and fields 

 squared and fences straightened, so that the inclosures vary from 

 20 to 60 acres each. 



Seven years ago Mr. Revis purchased a 10-horse engine, made 

 by Hayes, of Stony Stratford, for 300/., and a Howard tackle for 

 ] 70/., making 470/. The implements used are a Bedford culti- 

 vator " when the land works kindly," and a Woolston cultivator 

 " when very dry." The repairs, &c., have been — a new rope for 

 70/. ; porters, &c., 10/. ; and " a few incidentals." The working 

 expenses are — for labour, 5 men at Is. od. each ; one man, 

 \s. lOf/. (fetching water and oiling) ; and two boys at lOr/. each. 

 The water-cart, 3^., fetches water from field-wells or ponds. 

 Removal takes 6 horses for half a day " when it is on the same 

 farm." Coal is burned at the rate of 10 to ] 2 cwts. per day, at 

 175. a ton ; oil may cost about \s. The average work done is 6 

 to 7 acres cultivated in a day. 



The apparatus is not let out, but occasionally lent to Mr. 

 Revis's son, and to his tenants. In winter the engine drives a 

 pair of 6 in. stones, grinding corn at the rate of 10 quarters in a 

 day, and at the same time works a large chaff-engine, cutting 300 

 qrs. of chaff in a day. 



Mr. Revis has not diminished his teain force, as he has a good 

 deal of carting to do — for building, repairs, «Scc., for his tenants 

 — for which purposes he employs his own horses. 



A great advantage is found in the improved drainage after 

 steam culture. The 4-course rotation is followed — turnips being 

 grown on the gravel and loam, and vetches, eaten off, upon the 

 clay ; but turnips are not attempted upon the very strong land. 



Mr. Revis says, " I think that the crops are improved by steam 

 cultivation. No person's look better than mine this season 

 (1866) ; I fallow for barley after tares, and sow 3 cwts. of guano. 

 When not dunged for tares, the land, after the barley, is farm- 

 yard-manured for beans; and for turnips, 12 loads of dung are 



