674 Abstract Report of Agricultural Discussions. 



The piircliasG of a powerful steam apparatus by the o-\vner of 200 

 acres or so of clay laud, is, of course, out of the question, unless 

 it be used on the adjoining farms as well. As yet, however, the 

 partnershii) or company principle has not been sufficiently tried in 

 agriculture for the results to be spoken of with any degree of con- 

 fidence. This is one of the things upon which suggestions are 

 desirable, and in which it would be most gratifying to see advance- 

 ment made. 



Again, with respect to light lands, I believe we shall soon see 

 steam-engines very generally employed as an auxiliary on a large 

 farm for cleaning stubbles in the autumn, for breaking up land for 

 barley in the spring, and for many similar pm-poses. A light, cheap 

 steam apparatus would be most valuable on such lands ; indeed, I 

 believe we shall soon see no farm of any considerable acreage without 

 it. This is a matter, however, in which improvement is required ; we 

 want suggestions for the use and management of an aj)paratus for 

 light lands, not too heavy nor requiring too much power, and pm-chase- 

 able for a reasonable sum. 



The three questions then which I should like to propound to the 

 meeting are these — 'Ist. Which is the most practical and useful featm-e 

 of the reports ? 2nd. Does it appear from these reports, or from the 

 general knowledge of those who may speak upon the subject, that 

 steam cultivation is successful generally as a commercial speculation ? 

 and, 3rd. In what direction does om* present system of steam cultiva- 

 tion most require improvement ? 



Mr. EucK said the reports must be read with general satisfaction 

 by every member of the Society, for, no doubt, the investigations of 

 the Commission had been carried out in a most impartial and straight- 

 forward way, both as regarded those who allowed their farms to be 

 exhibited, and the implement-makers, whose machines were tried. The 

 reports had suggested four questions to his own mind, rather different 

 from those of the Chaii'man, but still equally important. They were, 

 1st. What power can we get out of sixpenny worth of coals ? 2nd. 

 Will work that is done by steam be equal or superior to that done by 

 horse-power ? 3rd. Will the land cultivated by steam be in a suj)erior 

 state to that cultivated by horse-power ? 4th. Will the crops produced 

 by steam cultivation be larger than those produced by horse-power '? 

 His own opinion was that sixpenny worth of coal would give as much 

 power as one horse in a day's work; and that two operations with 

 steam would be worth at least three by horse -power. By steam- 

 cultivation, clay laud would be broiight into projier condition in the 

 com'se of two or three years, and light laud would be improved abnost 

 immediately. He had no hesitation in saying that steam-cultivation 

 would cause an average increase of 8 bushels an acre in the crops 

 throughout the country. 



Mr. Smith (of Woolston) had read the reports very carefully, and 

 could endorse the praise uttered by the Chairman resj)ecting the 

 authors. The reports, which would be fouud full of good and amjjle 

 evidence, if people would only take the trouble to read them, indirectly 



