Steam Culture. 
431 
In conclusion, I have to tliank Lord Hathcrton, Mr. Hill, 
agent to the Duke of Manchester, Mr. Faux, and Mr. Pike, i'or 
information respecting Smith's Cultivator. The testimonials 
furnished to Mr. Fowler up to a recent date in part superseded 
j)rivate inquiry, either by furnishing an answer, or indicating 
that it could not be given ; I shall be glad, however, to receive 
from any owner of a steam-cultivator information and correction 
on a subject which is by no means exhausted, and beg, in con- 
clusion, to call attention to three points of inquiry. 
1st. The averajie cost of maintainin<; a locomotive engine at 
O o 
rough work in rather unskilful hands. 
2ndly. The effects of working at a pressure above 60 lbs. on 
the square inch on the wear and tear of the engine, the power 
generated, and the fuel consumed. 
3rdly. The influence of working at different velocities on the 
force required to perform a given quantity of work. 
Cambridge. 
Dumbleton Hall, Evesham, Dec. 31, 18G0. 
My dear Sir, — Although this is my third season of ploughing by 
steam-power, yet from my having commenced "with an imperfect 
(10-horse) engine, a 3-furrow plough, and old anchor and ropes, 
my experience will not allow of my replying satisfactorily to your 
queries, which have reference rather to what can he now done with 
the more perfect machinery and tackle siipplied by Mr. Fowler, 
than to what could be accomplished under the above circumstances. 
It was only at Michaelmas last that I started one of Fowler's 
improved (12-horse) engines ; and it was not until the middle of 
October that I was able to avail myself of his recent alterations in 
the disposition of ropes and tackle, of his new and less complicated 
anchor, and of his improved 4-furrow plough. 
I have stated that I have been using a steam-plough for three 
seasons, but that up to Michaelmas last I worked with defective 
machinery. Up to that time I had steam-ploughed (in all, from 
the period of my commencing) 500 acres. My expenses were as 
follows : — 
£. s, d. 
Mr. Fowler's bill 751 19 6 
Eailway expenses (carriage) 26 19 4 
£778 18 10 
My repairs during these two seasons, whilst making use of old 
machinery, amounted to 93L 7s. 2d. This cannot, however, be con- 
sidered as a basis on which to calculate wear, tear, and depreciation 
connected with improved steam-ploughing machinery. 
I will therefore state what I have done since discarding my 
defective machinery at Michaelmas last, at which date, to the cost 
