STEAM CULTIVATION. 455 



lateral movements have had imparted to them a speed and 

 ' whirr ' characteristic of steam ; men acquire the habit of 

 doing the day's work in the day, and of not leaving it for 

 the morrow. The day's labor, too, on a steam farm repre- 

 sents more work with less distress to the physical frame of 

 the laborer, and better remuneration. Steam is working a 

 revolution slightly manifested as yet, so that we can only 

 speak of tendencies in farm practice, and in the character of 

 the rural population. They are being trained for the era of 

 machinery in agriculture. 



" In most cases an increase of produce, in some instances 

 as much as 8 bushels per acre (of wheat), has resulted from 

 steam cultivation. 



" We may state as our general conclusion that steam 

 tackle, whether of Fowler, Howard, Smith, or other makers, 

 is now so far perfected and settled in form and details, that 

 it may be classed among old-established, standard farm 

 machinery, and no longer among the novelties of the day. 



" We find, as the result of experience, that which we 

 already anticipated theoretically, viz., that the increased 

 depth of surface and the absence of pressure greatly increase 

 the absorbing powers of the soil, and consequently assist the 

 action of the drains. 



" Mr. Wm. Smith, of Woolston, England, was one of the 

 pioneers of steam cultivation, and is still one of its most 

 zealous advocates. A short time ago he extended an invi- 

 tation to all who were interested in the subject to visit his 



