382 Transactions of the American Institute. 



consider that three plows can be used without adding the cost of 

 another man, and that in many cases they will be used, I think it is 

 not an exaggeration to state that the cost of plowing, on an average, 

 may be reduced at least one-half by the use of this or a similar imple- 

 ment. 



As to cost : one of these plows can be made of a size to suit two 

 ordinary horses for about fifty dollars. It would have two small plows 

 attached. The advantages would be, that it relieves all human labor; 

 that it will plow hard ground that could not be plowed with the 

 plows in general use ; and that it will plow any depth required not 

 beyond the strength of the steam. Or, if a man has a three or four- 

 horse machine, with two large plows, he can convert it into a two- 

 horse one by simply leaving one of the plows off. Such a plow 

 would cost about seventy dollars. With three plows, each one being 

 large enough for two horses, it would cost eighty-five or ninety dollars, 

 and so on. A gang of five plows, that could be drawn by eight 

 horses, and plow, say ten acres per day, would cost probably not more 

 than $140. This plow, however, could be changed by leaving off any 

 number of the plows, so as to use it with four horses or two, or any 

 number. Of course, subsoil attachments, rolling cutters, handles, 

 etc., would be extra. 



Something else than horse or ox-power we ought to have, and I 

 think we soon will have, for plowing. But if steam plows were even 

 now perfected, it would require several years to bring them into 

 general use. A plow, adapted to the present kind of power, that 

 will do the work easier, cheaper and better, is a practical thing. This 

 machine, which I represent, has been in use for five or six years. 

 Imperfect, clumsy and heavy at first, as all machines usually are, but 

 with late improvements it is light, strong and convenient, and much, 

 cheaper than any plow of equal merit that I have seen. Several 

 thousand of these plows, for use singly, have been sold in southern 

 Illinois, and several hundred in gangs. They were all warranted, and 

 to be taken back if they did not give satisfaction. So far, not one has 

 been returned. A few have been sent to other parts of the State, 

 and to other States, to be tested there, and the reports are equally 

 favorable. It is the intention, now that they have stood a fair prac- 

 tical test, to introduce them to the farming public. 



These remarks were regarded by the Club as very sensible, and ie 

 was hoped that the inventor would soon appear who could supply the 

 deficiency indicated. 



