0(S4 Report on Steam Cultivation. [CoLEMAN. 



building for the scutcliino-mills, bruiser, and seed-rolling ma- 

 chinery. The work-peoj)le were here under the instruction 

 ot" an Irishman, who spoke favourably of the quality of the 

 fibre, greater length being the chief desideratum. It is pos- 

 sible that under careful management the yearly growth of a 

 few acres might be made to pay. The staff includes a chemist 

 who, in a spacious laboratory, is supposed to fill up his time by 

 making experiments and testing any point that requires elucida- 

 tion. The farm buildings proper include a long shed fitted 

 with slatted floors, and divided into pens for 5 sheep each. 

 The animals appeared healthy and thriving. Under a large 

 covered yard we have stables on one side, and the rest devoted 

 to cattle, principally milch cows — also on a platform, which was 

 rather too short for comfort. The labour to keep all these 

 different departments going must be costly. As far as we can 

 judge, the average Aveekly wages, including the steam-plough, 

 amounts to 30/., and we fear it is often considerably more. It 

 will be remembered^ by many that Mr. Lawson advocates a co- 

 operative system, and has declared his intention of giving the 

 labourers 10 per cent, on his profits. No division has as yet 

 been possible, although Mr. Lawson, as far as we could learn, 

 is willing to calculate profit without charging rent, interest of 

 money, &c. 



But our present business is with steam cultivation ; Fowler's 

 tackle, consisting of 12-horse-power engine and anchor, 5-tine 

 cultivator and 4-furrow plough, was purchased Feb. 2, 1862, 

 at a cost of 820/. To this must be added, 7-tine grubber, 

 70/., water-cart, 25/., total, 915/. Replacements, grubber, 50/., 

 anchor, 40/., and ropes, 89/. 15^. Mr. Lawson has kindly enabled 

 us to give an abstract of each year's accounts, save the first, 

 viz., from Feb. 2 to Dec. 31, 1862. We learn, however, that 

 the loss then, as calculated by Mr. Lawson, was not less than 

 200/. 



Account for the Year ending December 31, 1863.* 



Db. £. s. d. Ck. f. s. ,J. 



Towages 55 5 3 Scarifying 40S| acres, afl ^ ^. 



Kepairs 47 16 8 , Is.bd / 



Oil and waste 7 16 | Ploughing 21 acres, at 10s. 10 10 



Wear and tear at 7J per\ re, .^ t- \ Harrowing 7 acres, at 3s. .. 110 



cent, on (915/.) .. ..p» 1- f' I 



Interest at 5 per cent. .. 45 15 i By balance .. .. 62 12 11 



£225 5 5 1 £225 5 5 



* It will be observed that no coals are charged in this account: assuming 

 them to have cost only 15Z., a colliery being near at hand, we have tlic sura of 

 87/. on the wrong side. 



