52 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



yet required on the subject before it can attain such results as are here 

 indicated ; but, looking at what has been accomplished within the last 

 ten years, I have little doubt that in a few years hence we shall have 

 attained such a position in regard to the application of farm steam 

 machinery as will certainly enable every farmer, willing to avail himself 

 of it, to dispense with, if not all his horses, at least a large proportion of 

 them, and so effect not only a corresponding saving in expense, but also 

 a great increase in the crops raised by an improved mode of deeper and 

 more efficient cultivation by steam-power. 



The steam-engine and apparatus of the Messrs Fowler first claim 

 attention. Fig. 1 is a sketch of their steam cultivating engine. 



Fio. 1. 



This engine is locomotive, with a windlass attached under it and 

 under the boiler for the coiling of the rope. This rope, which is 

 termed " endless," is coiled up and passed out from the windlass in a 

 very ingeniously invented groove. There are what are termed " hinged 

 clips," which take hold of the rope and prevent it from slipping from 

 the drum. The wire rope to be worked in conjunction with this engine 

 should be of a great length. If it is desired to plough the field with- 

 out a shifting, the rope will require to be fully twice the width of the 

 field. It passes round an anchor at the opposite side of the field from 

 the engine. This anchor is upon four wheels, these wheels having 

 sharp edges which sink into the soil, and thus they get sufficient hold 

 to resist the pull of the rope. Fig. 2 is a sketch of this anchor. 



It will be observed that the strain upon the anchor is from the side, 

 and the motion of the rope working upon a part of the anchor causes it 

 to move forward, and thus always keeps it in place for the engine to 



