204 
Ok the Moveable, Stcam-Eiicpiic. 
lus.* 2ndly, the work of tlircsliinjr is most continuous during those 
months in which other labour is rather slack ; it decreases as the 
spring advances, and labourers become more in request, nor are 
the machines again called actively into play until the wheat is 
reaped, and the greater part of it stacked. Some additional 
hands are therefore made available for the farm connected witli 
the engine, at the time when labourers are most wanted. Again, 
■the occupier of land is able to superintend the working of a 
steam-engine to greater economical advantage than a man of 
another class, for he is near at hand, with a horse at command, 
and an occasional hour to spare for inspecting the work ; more- 
over, he can, without inconvenience, accommodate a small farmer 
with extra hands, if required, and easily lend one or two horses 
on an emergency, and when roads are bad and fields wet, to assist 
dn removing the machine and engine — a task which generally 
devolves on the next hirer. 
I shall conclude my statement with a brief abstract of expenses 
for repairs and otherl outgoings ; 1st, for one engine and machine, 
in the year ending Michaelmas, 185G, and then for two in 1857, 
1858, and 1859. In each case they were in pretty constant 
employ from September to Lady-day, and had nearly half work 
between Lady-day and harvest. 
Expenses of Steam-Engine and threshing Macldne. 
Expenses on one Machine from Michaelmas, 1855, to Michaelmas, 185G. 
£. s. d. 
Bills 33 14 6 
Wages 52 2 7 
Labour, largess, &c 1019 7 
96 16 8 
1856—1857. 
Eepairs 53 15 6 
Oil 12 12 0 
Insurance 2 1 11 
Paid for hire of engine, largess, Sec. .. 10 19 8 
AVages 62 17 2 
£142 6 3 
A second machine and engine were at work during part of 
ihis year. 
* To men of this class, wages of 2s. 6(f. instead of Is. dd. a day, with some 
extras, are a considerable direct gain apart from contingencies. It is the interest 
of the engineman to put the feeder into the way of managing the engine, for which 
he gets several little services done in return, so that a succession of engine-drivers 
possessed of competent knowledge is readily provided if necessary. 
