414 
Steam Culture. 
tural machines are entrusted to rough hands for rough work, and 
that it is not worth while to arrange otherwise, even if an extra 
5 per cent, on repairs is involved. 
Before we come to particulars, let us look at the experience 
derived from steam-threshing. In this case the united cost of 
engine and drum is a little over 300/. : the former, costing two- 
tliirds of the outlay, is a well-established machine ; the latter, 
costing one-third, still in a state of transition. The repairs on 
each probably bear about an equal proportion to their prime cost. 
The two are commonly let out at 30s. per day ; if they are 
severed as much is charged for the 100/. drum as for the 200/. 
engine. Thus the charge of joint hire is l-200th of the whole 
cost, but that on the drum alone l-133rd, at this rate of charge. 
An owner would probably charge himself IO5. instead of 155. for 
home use of either at leisure times. I have been challenged to 
point out owners who have made money by letting threshing- 
machines, and this challenge from a well-informed quarter went 
to show that success is not general or profit excessive ; it could 
not be taken up, because those who had managed best and had 
most experience, had no accounts to show. I think myself happy 
in meeting with one exception in Mr. Turnill, of Sawtry, and 
make the following extract from a letter written by him to Mr. 
J. M. Heathcote for my information : — 
" We have three portable engines of 8-horsc-power each, with threshing, 
shaking, and winnowing drums witli each ; one, bought in 1856, the engine 
cost 255^., the drum 120Z., together 375Z. ; the second, bought in 1857, the 
engine cost 256Z. os., the drum 128/., together 384Z. 5s. ; the third we bought 
secondhand, in 1859, at less than half the original cost, but it cost near lOOZ. 
to put it in repair, because it had been badly used. With respect to the 
repairs of the two we bought new, the first two years of working the repairs 
on each engine amounted to 10?. per annuni ; on each drum, 12/. 10s. ; for 
the third and fourth years each engine has cost 30/., and each drum 20/. 
per annum ; making an average for the four years of 20/. for the engine, and 
16/. 5s. for the drum. I have no doubt, however, that the repairs in the next 
two years will be greater than in the two last, as many of the parts want 
replacing. Besides all repairs, I believe that from 10 to 12i per cent, per 
annum may be set down for depreciation, as in the course of 10 or 12 years 
they will be unfit for use. Mr. Frere must bear in mind that our engines 
are let out on hire, and are continually in work for eight months in the year, 
which will increase the repairs and depreciation over those that are only used 
by a gentleman on his own farm. A very great deal depends on management 
of machinery as to cost of repairs." 
From this I should infer that the cost of the third and fourth 
years are not above the average of the whole working period. 
The results of my own experience were recorded in the last 
Journal. 1 find that, after deducting oil, the repairs on one 
engine and drum on the average of two years, 1857-58 and 
1858-59, amounted to 33/., or say 30/.=10 per cent, on 300/. ; 
to this must be added for depreciation of engine, at 10 per cepc 
