FOE AMERICAN VINES. 59 



engine. A platform is fixed on the shafts for the engine- 

 driver and the fuel. The capstan is connected to the engine 

 by means of a belt. 



The extremities of a cable, whic'h travels all round the 

 block to be ploughed, are fixed one to each drum. 



Fixed pulleys, anchored in suitable positions, carry the 

 cable. A gearing device enables the engine-driver to alter- 

 nately throw either drum into gear. The plough, being 

 fastened in the middle of the cable, is therefore hauled back- 

 wards and forwards. It is a balance plough. At each fur- 

 row the two end pulleys are displaced for a distance equal to 

 the width of the furrow. 



To facilitate this displacement, these pulleys are carried 

 on automatic anchor-trucks, similar to those of the Fowler 

 system. These anchor-trucks are mounted on discs of iron 

 with sharp tires, penetrating the soil on account of the load. 

 The anchor resists well any traction perpendicular to the 

 plane of the discs, while movement in the direction of the 

 discs offers only slight difficulty. To obtain the necessary 

 translatory movement of the anchor, a small cable is 

 fastened at one end to a fixed point, an old stump or post 

 for instance, the other winding round a small capstan car- 

 ried by the anchor-truck. While the plough is travelling 

 away from the anchor, the small cable is slackened a little, 

 and as soon as the engine begins to pull the plough forward, 

 the anchor-truck rolls on its discs, and moves a distance 

 equal to the length slackened by the small cable. The 

 moving of the anchor truck is therefore done automatically 

 without any waste of time. 



Working. The plough opens furrows parallel to the 

 headland where the engine is fixed, the work beginning 

 on the opposite headland. At the start, the cable com- 

 pletely hems round the block ; as the work progresses the 

 rectangle formed by the cable gradually diminishes. The 

 plough travels at a rate depending on the power of the 

 engine, the nature of the soil, the depth of the ploughing, &c. 

 This rate may reach 118 feet per minute, but is generally 

 from 82 feet to 98 feet. 



One engine-driver is sufficient to attend to the engine and 

 capstan. Three men are required to attend to the plough 

 and anchor-trucks. 



The whole plant costs 532. 



