Pitcldll, Tilesford, and the Grove. 
487 
notwithstanding the disadvantageous circumstances attending his 
recently acquired holding, in consequence of the extension of 
his means of cultivating by steam. In every respect his tillage 
operations are more exclusively arranged " with a view to steam " 
than they were two years and a half ago. Instead of the " large 
enclosures averaging 20 to 40 acres each," we see the arable 
land at Pitchill thrown almost into one great field. At the out- 
lying farms also, we see that the fields of 4, 5, or 10 acres each 
are gradually undergoing a process of "dissolution," and that 
they are slowly but surely taking rank, ad eundem gradum, with 
Pitchill. These results have been accomplished by Mr. Bom- 
ford having carried out the intention which he announced to the 
Society's Committee in 1867. At that time he possessed "a 
couple of 12-horse engines," purchased of Savory and Son, of 
Gloucester, in 1864, and respecting this power we read that 
"Mr. Bomford is not satisfied with it, and he intended (so he 
told us — not to get rid of it, but — to buy another ; not in lieu 
of the present machinery, let it be understood, but a second 
' double-engine set,' so that he may have two pairs of engines at 
work upon his farm at one and the same time ! " This quotation 
is copied verbatim et literatim, even to the note of admiration at 
the end. But what is the fact at the present time ? Mr. Bom- 
ford possesses two of Fowler's 14-horse power double sets. One 
of these was purchased second-hand, and the other new, the latter 
costing him 1460/., which included, besides the two engines, 
800 yards of steel wire rope, and a new cultivator. 
Many tenant-farmers will ask. How can this expenditure be 
rendered remunerative ? Therefore it may be desirable, even 
^t the risk of some repetition, to give a sketch of Mr. Bomford's 
mode of utilizing so jnuch power, and getting a paying per- 
centage on the outlay of so much capital. 
To begin, it must be remembered that Mr. Bomford occu- 
pies, practically, two farms 7 miles apart, and that he keeps a 
double-engine set at each occupation. Almost the whole of 
his tillage operations are performed by steam, and whenever he 
does not require his steam-tackle on his own farm, he has plenty 
of "orders" to execute for his neighbours. Indeed, so great is 
now the anxiety to hire his steam-tackle, — a desire produced, no 
doubt, by force of example," — that last spring Mr. Bomford in- 
formed me that he would soon be obliged to purchase a third 
double set ! As a matter of fact it may be stated that from 
the middle of May until the land becomes too wet, Mr. Bom- 
ford's two double sets have as much work to do for himself and 
his neighbours as can possibly be accomplished by them, not- 
withstanding that the men make as much as eight days per week, 
while the light will allow them to work so much over-time. 
VOL. V. — S. S. 2 K 
I 
