AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 241 



that the furrow should rise and turn over smoothly and con- 

 tinuously. 



There can be no doubt that Mr. Jefferson is solely entitled 

 to the honor of inventing the first mould-board made on 

 mathematical principles. 



In 1790, he mentions that one of his nephews, Col. Ran- 

 dolph, had invented an ingenious and useful plough for turn- 

 ing the furrows on a hillside in one direction, and gives a 

 sketch and plans for making it which shows that he very 

 clearly understood the principles of the plough. 



These, as well as the straight ploughs, have been con- 

 stantly improved and beautified in shape and lines. 



The next step in advance in ploughing or turning up the soil 

 for cultivation will be to accomplish the operation success- 

 fully and economically by the use of steam. While great 

 labor and study and much money have been expended on this 

 matter, it must be confessed that so far it has been but par- 

 tially successful. 



The great desideratum, which has at several periods during 

 the past forty years seemed just to have been reached, has 

 failed, and after great expectations we found disappoint- 

 ment. That was to drive the ploughs by locomotive power ; 

 to construct an engine powerful enough to drive or draw a 

 gang of ploughs or diggers, and yet not so heavy but that it 

 could be moved fast enough to plough profitably. We believe 

 the time will come when it will be found possible and prac- 

 ticable by our greater knowledge of the application of forces 

 to construct an engine capable of not only running over a 

 common road, but in a cultivated field, where the entire 

 power of the engine shall not be expended in its own pro- 

 pulsion, but have the ability to overcome the resistance of 

 the ploughs. The most notable failure of this attempt was 

 that of John W. Fawkes of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, w^ho 

 invented and constructed an engine capable of drawing eight 

 ploughs, which on a hard sod seemed to accomplish wonders, 

 ploughing at a rate of over four acres an hour. It has never 

 done it since. 



So far, the only successful steam plough has been that 

 patented by John W. Fowler, in England, in 1854, and in 



