58 THE BOOK OF THE LANDED ESTATE. 



convey, and lay down the cultivating apparatus takes from three to four and a half 

 hours. The extent cultivated or grubbed ia about 7 acres daily ; extent harrowed 

 about 10 acres. The depth the grubber enters the soil is from 8 to 12 inches. The 

 harrow moved by the steam-engine is found to be a great acquisition to the other 

 cultivating implements. 



The steam-engine and cultivating apparatus have proved, during the springs of 

 1865 and 1866, of great utility in the preparation of land intended for turnips 

 expeditions and deep stirring being of advantage in the seeding of the land. On 

 Fentonbarns the turnip crop, since steam-power was applied, has been got in early, 

 and been superior. 



Thirteen pair of horses are still kept. The reduction in the number required 

 since the steam-engine with tackle was acquired has been only two pair. The saving 

 in the keep and tear and wear of four horses is small. The explanation is, that the 

 improvements at Dirleton which have been proceeded with during the last two years 

 have involved a great deal of horse-work in the carting of clay, stones, &c. The cart- 

 ing of the farm manure and the large potato crops likewise involves a great amount of 

 work to be done by carts. It is necessary to keep in view that the horses are now 

 less severely taxed in the stirring of the land : they are consequently kept in better 

 condition ; the field-labour is always well advanced ; the various operations of the 

 farm are executed at those seasons the best adapted to insure efficient and perfect 

 cultivation ; and there is less anxiety felt for the delays arising from the occurrence 

 of a tract of wet or unseasonable weather. 



The price of the Messrs Howard's double-engine tackle amounts to 

 from 1250 to 1350. The chief advantage of the double-engine tackle 

 over the single-engine one is, that one half the time only is taken up in 

 setting it to work, and as soon as ever the apparatus stops working 

 the whole is packed up and ready for removal, and much less trouble 

 and skill is required in laying it out; but it is too expensive for 

 general use. 



I have now to refer to the steam cultivating apparatus of Mr Smith 

 of Woolston. Mr Smith has applied the apparatus of other inventors 

 to a good purpose. He, in the first place, makes use of the ordinary 

 portable steam-engine, the same as is usually employed for thrashing 

 purposes. This, by a connecting belt, drives two winding-drums upon 

 which the rope, is coiled. While the one drum is winding the pulling 

 part of the rope, the other drum coils up the loose portion. The appa- 

 ratus of the Messrs Howard is connected to the engine by means of 

 an iron rod ; that of Mr Smith's is driven by a fly-wheel and belt. The 

 rope is attached to a steam cultivator, grubber, or plough, as may be 

 required. He, however, chiefly uses a three-tined grubber, with which 

 he breaks up the soil in one direction, and then goes over the land again 

 across the path of the first working. Mr Smith's implements have to 

 be turned at each end, while the apparatus of the Messrs Howard is 

 simply pulled back. 



Mr Smith's apparatus costs as follows : 



