STEAM-POWER FOR FARMERS. 



527 



and is most perfect of its kind, (it was made nn- 

 der my own direction,) and is capable of driving 

 easily the thi-eshing-niachine and machinery 

 connected with it, and also anj- additional ma- 

 cliines which the farmer may Imd for his advan- 

 tage to attach to it. 



Another example is given, showing the con- 

 nection of the steam-engine with a very com- 

 plete set of farm-offices. This is entirely new, 

 and would easily admit of subordinate machine- 

 ry, if desired. This steam-engine is also of high- 

 pressure or non-coudcnsing, excellent of its class, 

 and capable as it ought to be. of doing more than 

 the work reijuired of it. The neatest arrange- 

 ment, however, of the steam-engine house and 

 boiler, is when these buildings form a part of 

 tlie range it.self of the farm-buildings, and not an 

 outshot from it. 



But, in truth, there is no end to the diflPerent 

 plans which could be adopted by a skillful farm- 

 architect or farm-engineer ; and it may be said 

 every farm-stead requires a separate design to 

 suit the locality and wants of the farmer. There 

 are no parts of Scotland where so many snug, 

 compact farm- buildings can be seen as in the 

 neighborhood of Edinburgh, the accommodation 

 is ample, without being superfluous. So rapid, 

 indeed, has been the extension of steam-power 

 to farms in this vicinity, that from the fine ele- 

 vations round Edinburgh, more than 100 steam- 

 engine stalks or chimneys may be observed as 

 the landmarks of the farm, and giving a pecu- 

 liar feature to the landscape. ' 



Although the subordinate purposes to which 

 the impelling powers of the threshing-machine 

 have as yet been extremely limited, yet it ad- 

 mits of no doubt, if under proper control, it may 

 be applied to a variety of useful purposes to 

 which it has not as yet been applied, beside that 

 of threshing grain. It is, therefore, of import- 

 ance to consider the most simple and economi- 

 cal way in which the subordinate machines can 

 be connected with the impelling power. 



To the braising of grain the power i.s common- 

 ly applied, and that most advantageously to the 

 farmer. It has also been applied to chopping 

 of hay, slicing of turnips, grinding of rape-cake, 

 working a butter-churn, and driving circular 

 eaws ; to these, and perhaps many other purpo- 

 ses, the first power lias already been at ditFerent 

 farms applied. An inconvenience however, ari- 

 ses — although, perhaps, of no very great impor- 

 tance — when the smaller machines are used, 

 that they cannot be driven except wlren the 

 threshing-mill shaft is set in motion, as the axle 

 or shaft of the steam-engine connects the first 

 power with the mill, and, if worked with belts, 

 from a separate shaft ; this latter shaft cannot be 

 set in motion until the main engine-sliaft, which 

 connects engine and threshing machine, is go- 

 ing. When .subordinate machines are used, 

 worked by steam-power, they should be so con- 

 trived that the mill* may either be worked at 

 the same time, or taken out of gear, and the ma- 

 chines worked or driven independently of the 

 mill. This may be attended, perhaps, with more 

 expense in the first erection, but it is more com- 

 plete, and will, on most occasions when used, 

 save a loss of much steam. 



Several examples might be adduced in expli- 

 cation of these points. At one of the first steam- 

 powers, for a large farm, put up in West Lothi- 

 an, the steam-engine can either drive the thresh- 



* The word mill is used indiscriminately for thresh- 

 ing-machine. 



(11 IS) 



ing-mill in conjunction with grinding-mills for 

 meal and flour, or the latter can be used by 

 themselves. The machinery can be detached or 

 taken out of gear at pleasure, and the whole is 

 of tlie most perfect description. In such a case 

 as this, the steam-power must be ample, ■which 

 it is in the in.stance alluded to. 



In another example of a simple description, 

 in Mid-Lothian, an engine of eight-horse power, 

 non-condensing, is regularly in use for a saw- 

 mill, while, at the same time, it is the motive- 

 power of the threshing machine. The force is 

 communicated to the saw-mill by means of a 

 large cogged wheel placed on the main shaft, 

 between the fly-wheel and engine itself, driving 

 two circular saws. The power is taken from, 

 or given to, either threshing-machine or saw- 

 mill at pleasure, by means of pinions or small 

 wheels. Cut wood is manufactured here to a 

 considerable extent, which shows how easily 

 the steam-power can be advantageously em- 

 ployed, and to do also the work of the threshing- 

 machine. 



It would be tedious to go over the various 

 skillful applications which have already been 

 made use of by enterprising fanners in the ag- 

 ricultural counties round Edinburgh. The sub- 

 ject is new, and, perhaps, but in mfancy. Of 

 course a great deal remains to be done by skill 

 and ingenuity before such plans are extensively 

 adopted ; but I have little doubt as the value 

 of steam, as before stated, becomes fully known, 

 as the hesl Propelling Power for the 

 Farmer, endless may be the applications of it 

 even to farm purposes. 



One of the be.st examples I have yet met 

 with of the acknowledged utility of subordinate 

 machines worked or driven by the first power, 

 is at a fine farm in East Lothian. The steam- 

 engine which drives the threshing-machine is a 

 neat eondensing-engine, but only of six-horse 

 power. In addition to working elevators and 

 dressing fanners connected with a complete 

 threshing-machine, a shaft or axle — taking the 

 power directly from the main-shaft of the mill — 

 is led through the barn, which, by means of 

 drums and belts, is made to work a com-hruiser, 

 barley-hummeler, and fanners, and likewise a 

 pair of stones for a flour-mill, and a mill for 

 grinding rape-cake ; and, by an additional shaft, 

 a circular saw. The whole of the machines are 

 so arranged that they can be driven alternately, 

 and the flour stones are let off to a neighboring 

 miller, thus proving the economy of the arrange- 

 ment. In addition to these machines, the spare 

 steam from the boiler is made to heat a drying- 

 loft, which is placed over the boiler-shed, on 

 the floor of which small tin or iron pipes are laid, 

 heated by steam from the boiler. These pipes 

 are protected by a grating of wood, and the 

 whole covered with hair-cloth. Damp grain is 

 here dried with the greatest facility ; and in 

 wet seasons the drying-closet or room is found 

 to be of great utility. 



Indeed, the whole arrangement at the farm 

 displays much skill and ingenuity ; and we 

 could not have a better example of a small 

 power with which so many subordinate ma- 

 chines can be usefully employed without great 

 trouble or expense. 



1 might give several more illustrations from 

 other farms where great ingenuity has been 

 displayed in economizing labor by machinery ; 

 but I think it unnecessary, as the one I have 

 given is among the best instances I have met 

 wiU wlcre the advantages of such means were 



