CoLEJiAX.] Report on Steam Cultivation. 389 



experience pointing out the portion of the course for which 

 steam culture is most suitable ; the deep grubbing once in a 

 course being found sufficient, it practically assumes the charac- 

 ter of an auxiliary and relief to horse-labour in the heaviest 

 operations. The fields are neither rectangular nor sizable, vary- 

 ing from 10 to 50 acres, and are more or less undulating. The 

 climate is very moist, and hence Messrs. Nicholson considered 

 that a stationary engine working a windlass would prove more 

 suitable than the traction principle. Originally the farm was 

 much more subdivided ; miles of fences have been grubbed. 

 We have alluded to the boulder-stones ; these are removed before 

 the steam-tackle is worked, the ploughmen sticking up sticks 

 where they exist ; men follow and get them up. 

 The labour consists of 



An engineer, who is also farnismith 3s. a day. 



Men at windlass, cultivator and ancliors, 4 at 2.S. 6(7. .. 10s. ,, 



Porter-boys, 2 at Is 2s. „ 



Half- time water-cart, say 3s. „ 



18s. „ 



At the present time 6 pairs of very fine horses are kept. 

 Messrs. Nicholson consider that the cultivator relieves the farm 

 of 3 pairs of horses ; but, for reasons detailed, this is rather an 

 approximate estimate than an actual result. The ordinary opera- 

 tions on the fallows are as follows : — Autumn and spring grub- 

 bings ; the drag-harrows being worked a double-tine before and 

 after the spring cultivation ; estimating the dragging as equal to 

 one cultivation, we have 400 acres worked ; a very moderate 

 estimate. This, at an average of 5 acres a day, gives us 80 days 

 as the time at work. The engine does all the thrashing, chaff"- 

 cutting, sawing, &c. Upon these imperfect data we may venture 

 to make a calculation.* 



Cod per Day. 



s. d. 



Labour 18 



Coals and oil 7 



Repairs 4 



tWear and tear and interest on- 400?., at 121 per cent, 12 



£2 1 i; 



Or per acre, 85. 3|c?. ; very reasonable for such work ; and if 

 6 horses are really saved we should find a handsome balance in 

 favour of steam merely as to first cost. Now let us see as to 



* Messrs. Nicholson state that the average quantity of work per 10 hours varies 

 from 5 acres twice over to 8 acres once in a place, and with the harrows 15 to 

 20 acres have been accomplished. 



t 110/. is deducted from outlay for value of engine for other purposes than steam 

 cultivation. 



