Steam Cultivation. 673 



Then, again, a man wisliing to set up a steam apparatus would be 

 able to find the experiences of those who, in somewhat similar condi- 

 tions of soil and situation, have decided what kind of apparatus would 

 be best suited for the particular system ho meant to adopt — whether 

 aiming at great results by a largo outlay, or otherwise. There is, for 

 example, -|tlie farm of Mr. Bomford, No. G9 in the report, which is 

 rather an extraordinary instance of a man who is so taught by 

 successful experience that he is not satisfied with having had two 

 steam-engines and sets of working apparatus upon his farm, but 

 intended, when the Commissioners visited him, to have two more. 

 That I should consider a strong case of a man of large capital and 

 energy going in for great results. If, on the other hand, a man wish 

 to take the lowest mode, of employing a steam aiixiliari/, as it is very 

 proi^erly termed, and with a small outlay to get a powerful assistant 

 (but still only an assistant) to the ordinary api>liances of the farm, he 

 has the experience of those who have gone before him in the same 

 path, such experience being recorded and illustrated by most able pens, 

 for his special guidance and instruction. These are my own opinions, 

 but I should like to hear what, in the opinion of the meeting, are the 

 most practical and useful features of the reports. 



A second question, to which it might be useful to direct your atten- 

 tion, is, — " Does it appear from these reports that steam cultivation 

 is successful as a commercial speculation '? " 



As the solution of a mechanical problem, no doubt it is a most 

 perfect and thorough success. That which was proposed has been 

 accomplished, and great feats of cultivation have been performed by 

 steam which no other power could possibly have undertaken with the 

 same result. But then comes the question, whether as a commercial 

 speculation steam cultivation has generally been a success ? Does it 

 in the majority of cases lead to profit in a pecuniary point of view ? 

 I should be inclined to describe it as a success loldch a very small 

 amount of ignorance and inattention icould convert into a failure ; a 

 success where well managed, and a failm-e where badly managed. 

 Between these two extremes there is to be met with almost every 

 variety of great and modified success down to partial failure. A 

 clever man will make steam cultivation answer; but a man who 

 does not understand the subject himself, or cannot obtain an efficient 

 manager or assistant, must be very careful how he touches the matter 

 at all. That is the impression left upon my mind by a very careful 

 comparison and perusal of the reports. No doubt upon clay land a 

 depth and perfection of cultivation can be attained which could not 

 otherwise bo accomplished. In fact strong clay, such as that 

 described in one of our reports two or three years ago,* as a soil 

 varying at different seasons of the year from glue to cast iron, 

 cannot be really and efficiently worked except by steam. But, 

 unfortunately, that kind of soil is chiefly held in small occupations, 

 and the problem how to apply steam succeesfully to them has not yet 

 been solved. 



* Vide ' Journal,' Vol. xxv,, Part II., p. 521. 



