AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 83 



only traction power is lost, but the ability to move even is destroyed. The bed- 

 frame of the engine rests on a two-wheeled truck in front, is supported by a body- 

 bolt, and the front wheels and truck are as free to turn as the front axle of a 

 wagon. They are steered by a rack and screw connected, by a toothed chain, to 

 a steering-wheel. To test the ability to turn short corners, Mr. Fawkes, at our 

 request, caused the engine to describe its smallest curve, which, on measuring, we 

 found to be just thirty-four feet diameter, less than twice the length of the engine, 

 eighteen feet. The weight is so distributed that the water-tank behind the drum 

 or great traveling roller, when full, balances the weight of the boiler which is 

 placed in front; hence the weight resting upon the small guide-wheels in front is 

 but little, and they are left quite free to turn. To work the machine requires two 

 men, one to steer and attend to the engine — which he can do, as the cocks, levers, 

 &c., are placed just at his side — the other to fire and attend to any odds and ends 

 of work on the ground or elsewhere. 



The plows, of which there are eight employed, are the ordinary Moline plow, 

 fastened to a frame of such shape that the furrows are turned regularly one after 

 the other. Davits extend from the rear of the engine, and on these are grooved 

 pullies for chains, one end of which is hooked to the plow frame, and the other is 

 fastened to a windlass. When the engineer wishes to hoist plows, he whistles 

 once, and the fireman draws a lever on the platform of the engine. This turns a, 

 clutch into gear, which gives motion to the windlass to which the hoisting-chains 

 are attached. The chain is so arranged as to draw the points of the plows out of 

 the ground first, and when it has wound to a certain point it throws itself out of 

 gear, and thus the plows, swinging clear of the ground, may be transported any- 

 where. To lower them he gives two whistles, and the lever is drawn, which lets 

 the plows down to work. Enough slack is given to the chains to suifer the plows 

 to turn furrows of even depth in all inequalities of ground. This is an important 

 point, and Mr. Fawkes should invent some sure method of accomplishing it with- 

 out compelling the fireman to leave his post to slacken the chains by hand. 



The engine consumes twelve bushels of coal per diem and a quarter of a cord of 

 wood for kindling. Mr. Fawkes says his large heating surface enables him to get 

 up steam in fourteen minutes, if he has first-rate dry wood. The engine (30-horse) 

 and plow complete will be sold for g-3,500. 



Its other uses. 



When the harvest is ripe and gathered, and the thrashing machine has been 

 got out and cleaned, the engine is lifted from the floor by jackscrews, blocked 

 up, and then, disconnecting the gear by means of an eccentric, and clutching 

 the driving-wheel, or big rolling drum, to the crank-shaft; so that for every 

 revolution of the crank-shaft there is one of the drum. He is then ready 

 to put the belt of a thrashing machine, corn mill, or other farm implement on the 

 drum, and he gets as many revolutions as he may require. This gives him an 

 advantage over ordinary stationary engines, for he can use the expansion of steam 

 at any degree, and he has the power of reverse motion. By throwing back a 

 reverse lever, he can stop the drum almost instantly. In going down hill he has 

 slid the whole machine in a space of five feet; not, of course, without much jarring 

 of the engine, but still it serves to show what perfect conti'ol he has over the engine 

 in case of any accident to the plow, or engine itself; and in working up to head- 

 lands or fences, he can move one foot or two, or less or more, forward or backward, 

 as occasion may require. 



To pump water into the boiler, he used a donkey-pump, and can use it M^hen 

 either stationary or in motion, and with a length of hose can run alongside a ditch, 

 well, or brook, and fill his tank without trouble. 



