CoLEiMAX.] Rrpori Oil Sfc.am. (Mlivation. 413 



Mr. Fisher being from home, we were unable to obtain any 

 statistics as to the cost of repairs. The principal work appears 

 to be the autumn cultivation of the fallows and preparation of 

 bean land ; a considerable acreag'e of tcinter Leans is sown, and 

 we may fairly say that their growth would be impossible without 

 steam. I'he cultivator is seldom used in spring; its first task 

 being on vetch-stubble, which is thoroughly worked in prepara- 

 tion for wheat. The seeds are always broken up early (before 

 harvest), and receive 2 cultivations for wheat. In 1866 — which 

 was a very unfavourable season for cultivation — 102 acres were 

 worked, and we may estimate the average annual Avoik at 200 

 acres. The question naturally arises, Would not a o-furrow 

 plough have proved a valuable addition, and been amply paid 

 for by the reduction of 2 more horses ? At present Mr. Fisher has 

 only taken off 4 horses, keeping 10 now instead of 14. Our 

 experience, especially upon strong land, leads us to the conclu- 

 sion that it is desirable to be able either to cultivate or plough ; 

 for, although in a dry season the former work is most advan- 

 tageous, it is of great importance to be able to plough in such a 

 season as that of 1866. 



We walked over the farm and inspected the crops and stock, 

 and have seldom seen strong land in such a healthy and fertile 

 state. The fallows were dry, the wheat strong and tillering, 

 and the mangolds large, and the whole farm particularly clean. 

 The land is all drained efficiently, and decided advantage has 

 accrued from steam culture, in a drier healthier surface. The 

 alteration of croppings rendered possible by steam culture has 

 been already touched upon, but it is so important and prominent 

 a feature on this farm that we must allude to it again. Granting, 

 for the sake of argument, that the corn-crops are not materially 

 increased : granting that the roots cost as much as they are 

 worth ; still the drawbacks from shifting a flock, with either 

 change of ownership or loss of proper supervision, is very de- 

 trimental to the breeders, whilst to consumers the benefit arising 

 from increased production is evident. But we are inclined to 

 believe that the judicious growth of roots and vetches must 

 result in an increased corn-produce. In confirmation of this 

 view we have the evidence of an attentive critic, who was at first 

 greatly prejudiced against the apparatus, but from observing 

 results has now entirely changed his opinions, and tells us that 

 he never before saw 160 acres of wheat so even and productive 

 on any one farm, and the appearance of the stubbles that are 

 still open bears him out. We found the ewes running at large 

 on the grass-land, whilst the hogs were living in open straw 

 yards and eating pulped mangolds and chop, consisting of peas 

 and oat-straw with cotton-cake. All the stock looked well. 



