398 Report on Steam Cultivation. [Coleman. 



as to results was most satisfactory ; naturally tte most stub- 

 born field in each occupation would be selected for the steam- 

 plous^h, and the effects on drainage appear to have been very 

 decided. In one case (strong land on a marl subsoil) the land 

 though undrained had become very much drier, so much so 

 that further drainage appeared unnecessary. With regard to 

 cost, the general opinion was that the work could not have 

 been done cheaper by horses, and there could be no comparison 

 as to quality. All agree in considering the special value of 

 steam culture is on the land intended for fallow-crops. The 

 deep stirring 10 to 12 or 14 inches, once in a course, being 

 sufficient to let in the air. Most of the occupations of arable, 

 often under 100 acres, Avere too small to allow of a reduction 

 in the horses kept, but the strain on them was much relieved, 

 and the work forwarded. In one instance some 50 to 60 acres 

 have been done annually; here 2 horses have been reduced. 

 At the time of our visit work had not commenced, but orders 

 were pouring in on every side, the promise of a favourable 

 season. The arrangement as to work is simple and satis- 

 factory: the country is mapped out into districts, according 

 to roads, &c., and the occupation nearest Whitchurch is the 

 first taken. The work generally extends from the beginning 

 of February to end of May, and from early in September to 

 beginning of December, and with fair weather 1000 acres ought 

 to be worked during those periods. One occupier, a Mr. Raven- 

 shaw, stated that steam culture enabled him to grow good crops 

 of turnips where it was impossible before. Enough has been 

 stated to prove that the Company is well established in the 

 district, and that there is no fear of lack of custom ; it is grati- 

 fying also to reflect that steam cultivation could only be brought 

 to bear in these farms by means of such a company. 



No. 123. The Market Drayton Steam Cultivation Company, 

 Limited. — The apparent success at Whitchurch stimulated the 

 proprietors in the neighbourhood of Market Drayton to do like- 

 wise ; accordingly a company was formed in the summer of 1865, 

 for the purpose of working Howard's double-engines, Mr, A. 

 Govver being appointed manager. The peculiarity in these 

 engines consists in the boilers being placed at right angles to the 

 travelling-frame ; the latter running on three wheels, the front 

 one being in the centre, and each engine being furnished with a 

 winding-drum at either end, to allow of roundabout or direct 

 traction ; moreover, by this arrangement the novel plan of working 

 two implements at the same time, but independently of each 

 other, as shown at the last Smithfield Meeting, can be carried out. 



The tackle was purchased August 25th, 1865, or rather the first 

 instalment arrived at that date, and the roundabout system was 



