THE TRACTION-ENGINE 



demonstrated that, under ordinary con- 

 ditions, the dry lands of the Transvaal, 

 cultivated in a scientific manner, with the 

 double engine system of steam tackle, 

 in the hands of skilled workmen, will 

 successfully produce large crops of maize 

 in seasons of the severest drought. 



At Vereeniging the plowing tackle 

 consists of two engines with steel cables 

 450 yards in length — a five furrow bal- 

 ance plow, and a packer weighing 

 about two tons. This packer has proved 

 a very valuable implement for securing 

 a mellow seed-bed. The planting is done 

 by means of a combined implement com- 

 prising the cultivator, consolidator, 

 packer, sower and a harrow; the four 

 operations being done simultaneously by 

 this machine which cultivates, packs, 

 seeds, and harrows sixty acres per day. 

 The amount of land that such a steam 

 plow turns over is from fifteen to twenty 

 !<* 277 



