THE TRACTION-ENGINE 



land can be tilled much sooner after rain 

 than by the direct traction system. 



This system is widely used in Colo- 

 rado and California, Australia and 

 western Canada. But the finest work 

 that has ever been done in dry-farming, 

 so far as the writer is aware, is that which 

 has been carried on during the last eight 

 years in South Africa where the condi- 

 tions are very similar to those prevailing 

 in the Great Plains region. This method 

 has given such remarkable results that it 

 is worthy of the attention of all dry-far- 

 mers who are interested in steam cultiva- 

 tion. In the year 1902 a demonstration 

 farm was established at Vereeniging, a 

 village situated on the borders of the 

 Transvaal and the Orange River Colony, 

 and placed under the management of 

 Mr. W. A. McLaren, M. I. C. E., an 

 engineer who has had a life-long experi- 

 ence in agricultural operations in relation 

 275 



