436 HIGHLAND AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



England and Scotland. Answers were received from six 

 manufacturers, and a hundred farmers and others. Only- 

 four answers were received from gentlemen in Scotland, 

 and only one from East-Lothian — Mr Hope, Fentonbarns. 

 They also received answers from twenty-three gentlemen 

 in various parts of Scotland to queries as to the cost of 

 cultivating land by horse power. These an.swers were so 

 various, that the committee were not able to drav/ from 

 them such information as they would feel justified in laying 

 before the Society. The committee's report was published 

 in the third volume of the fourth series of the Transactions. 

 Of the conclusions at which the committee arrived, some 

 have still a practical value : 



The committee were of opinion that before a steam plough can be advan- 

 tageously employed, the land should be thoroughly cleared of all large stones 

 and other impediments to the free action of the plough, and that this can be 

 most effectually done by having the land previously ploughed by horses to the 

 depth of fourteen inches. They were farther of opinion that where deep 

 cultivation is desired (that is, not less than from twelve to fourteen inches), the 

 double engine system of Fowler appeared to be best suited, as the action of the 

 engine is more direct, and a much less extent of rope is required. Where a 

 shallow furrow (that is, not exceeding eight inches on ordinary soil) is all that 

 is required, the single engine and movable anchor system of Fowler, or the 

 roundabout system of Howard, but with Fowler's balance plough, seem well 

 adapted. Finally, the committee were of opinion, that on a large farm having 

 a comparatively flat surface, with fields of not less than twenty acres, as nearly 

 square as possible, and free from stones or other obstacles, and where three or 

 four pairs of horses can be dispensed with, steam cultivation will probably be 

 highly beneficial as an auxiliary to horse power, as the work can be done with 

 greater celerity, and the ground cropped at proper time, whereby an increased 

 return would be likely to ensue. On a smaller extent of land there does not 

 seem to be sufficient scope for the profitable employment of a steam plough. 



At a subsequent date, it was resolved to renew the 

 committee, and various members attended subsequent trials 

 at Yester Mains, Dunmore Park, and Offerton Hall, the 

 results of which have all been reported in the Transactions. 



In 1874, the Society endeavoured to get up an exhibi- 

 tion of steam cultivation, to be held in the vicinity of 

 Edinburgh ; but the committee did not succeed in getting 

 a single entry, although schedules were sent to all the 

 makers of steam cultivators known to the Society. 



In 1875, the Special Committee was added to the list 

 of standing committees of the Society. 



