FOR AMERICAN VINES. 



23 



wooden beams, the wheels are removed, the capstan placed in 

 position in the excavation, and fixed by a few iron or wooden 

 pegs. The gin is generally placed at one angle of the field 

 to be ploughed (Fig. 5). After lifting the coupling clutch 

 the cable is unwound and passed over the fixed pulley, 



Capstan. 



Field. 



Ancho 



Fixed pulley. 



Cable carrier. 



A 



Plourjh. 



Fig. 5 Arrangement of Capstan in the Field 



which is anchored at the extremity of the first furrow to be 

 turned by the plough, to which the free extremity of the 

 cable is fixed. When the distance is considerable the cable 

 is supported by cable carriers (a kind of small carriage pro- 

 vided with a ground pulley) 

 to diminish the wear and tear 

 (Fig. 6). At a distance of 

 about 19 feet from the capstan 

 a small device is placed for 

 facilitating and regulating the 

 winding of the cable on the 

 drum. The horses are then 

 liarnessed to the pole, the machine thrown into gear, and 

 all is ready for a start. 



The installation is simple, and does not require much 

 skill ; the fixation of the anchors which hold the fixed 

 pulley, alone presents some difficulty. It is necessary to 

 prevent the enormous traction exerted on them from pulling 

 them out of the ground. When the soil is naturally com- 

 pact and resistant this need not be feared, but in swampy or 

 light gravelly soils it is difficult to keep the anchors in 



Fig. 6. -Cable carrier. 



