Re A PING-MA CHINES. 1 7 



one of which can do the work of ten men. 

 This has multiplied the effect of human labour 

 tenfold, and that at the most critical season, 

 the harvest, when the entire crop ripens within 

 a fortnight, and must with all possible expe- 

 dition be saved without loss of time. For 

 hay-making, a similar machine is in the same 

 proportion available. It would be difficult to 

 reckon the vast saving which the introduction of 

 this most important invention has made at these 

 most critical periods, haytime and harvest. 



Next to it is the steam-plough, which, on The steam- 

 plough, 

 heavy land and in large fields, especially where 



coal is moderate in cost, and water easily avail- 

 able, is both economical and expeditious. A 

 steam-plough, capable of ploughing ten acres a 

 day, will do the labour of ten men and twenty 

 horses, and, where deep culture is advantageous, 

 will execute the work much more effectively, 

 and with no injurious trampling of the tender 

 soil. But it is as yet a costly implement, 

 beyond the reach of small farmers except 

 when hired as an auxiliary, and not capable 

 of doing its work with economy within small 



