44 AGRICULTURAL ENGINES. 



The Board of Agriculture in 1812 had their atten- 

 tion drawn to the feasibility of using the steam-engine 

 to save agricultural labour and lessen the cost of work- 

 ing land. Trevithick's intuitive knowledge told him 

 his application would be in vain, though an engine 

 was at work proving the saving of horse-power in 

 the item of thrashing corn. 



" I beg to trouble you with a few wild ideas of mine, 

 which perhaps may some future day benefit the public." 



A steam-engine could exert as much power by the 

 consumption of 6J. worth of coal as could be given by 

 20s. of horse-power, or by 70s. worth of men's power. 



" Ideas lead to theory, theory leads to practice, then 

 follows the result, which sometimes proves of essential 

 service to the public." 



"It is my opinion that every part of agriculture 

 might be performed by steam. Carrying manure for 

 the land, ploughing, harrowing, sowing, reaping, 

 thrashing, and grinding; and all by the same machine, 

 however large the estate." 



" Two men would manage an engine capable of per- 

 forming the work of 100 horses." 



Such a use of the steam-engine, judiciously managed, 

 " would double the population of this kingdom, and 

 make our markets the cheapest in the world ; because 

 England is the country best supplied with coal and 

 iron for steam-engines, and the land now growing 

 food for horses would be available for man." 



Its cost would be 500, and its power sufficient to 

 propel the largest subsoil ploughs and tormentors ; and 

 had the Board of Agriculture supplied such a sum of 

 money as is now ordinarily given by a farmer for a 

 steam-plough, we should have had in 1812 ploughing, 

 harrowing, sowing, reaping, &c., by steam. Years 



