at the Lewes Meeting^ 1852. 



313 



used solely for the sake of distinction, and have no reference to 

 the initials of the respective makers : — 



Steam Engines. 



A's " manufacture of steam-engines has within the last three years increased 

 fourfold.'''' 



B. " In the last two years has made five times as many as he did four or 

 five years ago." 



C. " Within three years his manufacture of engines has increased elyhfoldy 

 and still continues to increase." 



D. " Made in 1848 . . . . . 15 



„ 1851 and nine months of 1852 . . 294." 



From his own farming experience the writer feels that a 

 considerable " screwing up of the courage" is required before 

 giving an order for so considerable a purchase as that of a steam- 

 engine, and he confesses, therefore, to no small surprise at the 

 indication afforded by the above returns of the rapidity with 

 which steam is taking the place of any other motive power for 

 driving agricultural machinery. 



Thrashing Machines. 



E. " Sold in 1849 and 1850 . , . . 56 



,, 1851 and nine months of 1852 . . 192" 



F. " In 1852 made as many as in the whole of the three preceding years, 

 and could have sold four times that number had it been possible for him to 

 have executed the orders he received." 



G. " Turns out at least five per week, and has done this for some years. 

 The demand now is for a more complete machine, which can shake and dress 

 the corn as well as thrash it. " 



Brills. 



H. " Has turned out 30 per cent, more for the last two years than four 

 or five years ago." 



I. " Six years ago made seven or eight per week ; now makes 25 per cent, 

 more ; but, from the introduction of lower-priced drills, does not receive more 

 money than heretofore." 



It would be tedious to follow this inquiry through the smaller 

 implements ; suffice it to say, that the writer is in possession of 

 numerous interesting letters from the manufacturers, and regrets 

 that want of space compels him to give a very brief selection 

 from the facts they contain. One of the most noted makers of 

 ploughs and harrows dates the introduction of iron into their 

 manufacture from about the year 1840, since which time it has 

 rapidly mcreased, and at present has almost entirely superseded 

 wood. His own make has increased from 150 ploughs and 120 

 sets of harrows in 1843, to 1400 ploughs and 520 sets of harrows 

 in 1852. An eminent manufacturer of carts, wheels and axles, 

 cScc, states that he sold 727 sets of wheels in the three years 

 1843-45, and 2334! in 1850-51 and nine months of 1852. A 

 maker of a very popular scarifier in the three years 1846-48 sold 

 4d1 of these implements, and in 1850-51 and nine months of 



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