at. the Cantcrburij Mcetinj, 1860. 
497 
fiekl, were from 30s. to 36s. per acre, though it was evidently impossible for 
hoi'sc-labour to have turned the same furrow at all. 
Comparing these estimates with the data already given of the rate and cost 
of work done by the steam-ploughs, we find that Fowler ploughed IJ acres in 
2 h. 34 m. ; or, in round numbers, G acres per day of 10 hours, at a cost of 
50s. \d. per day, or 8s. ^d. per acre ; and that Robcy and Co. ploughed the 
same area in 4 h. 35 m. ; or, in round numbers, 3| acres jier day, at a cost of 
39s. lid., or lis. Sd. per acre. The saving effected by the steam-plough in 
the one instance (Fowler's) being equal to 60 per cent., and in the other 
(l!obey and Co.'s) equal to nearly 50 per cent., as compared with horse-labour. 
'J'hroughout the whole of the trials the quality of the work done was very 
satisfactory. This point, however, we look upon as secondary to the more im- 
portant question " of the application of steam-jjower to the cultivation of the 
soil ;" as when we are in possession of a weU-arranged system of steam-power, 
wo can make use of any form of implement we please to act ujjou the soil. 
In the trials on the level land, the quality of the work done by Robey and Co. 
was fuUy equal to that by Fowler. On the hilly ground, however, the 
superior power and arrangement of Fowler's machine enabled it to maintain its 
former excellence, while the work done by Robey and Co.'s was not equal to 
its previous performance. 
In the exercise of the functions committed to us, we therefore decide that a 
prize of 90Z. be given to Mr. John Fowler, junr., for his 12-horse set of 
steam-cultivating apparatus, invented and improved b}^ himself, and manu- 
factured bj' Kitson and Hewitson of Leeds ; and that a ])rize of lOZ. be given 
to Robey and Co. of Lincoln, for their complete set of patent steam-ploughing 
tackle, invented and improved by Chandler and Oliver of Bow, and manu- 
factured by exhibitors. We also award a commendation to Thomas Beards, of 
Stowe, near Buckingham, for his 8 horse-power portable 2-cylinder steam- 
engine, invented and manufactured by Thomas Richetts, of Buckingham, and 
for his apparatus for steam-cultivating land, invented by the exhibitor and 
manufactured by the Castie Iron-Works Company, Buckingham. 
Wm. Owen, Rotherham. 
Owen Wallis, Overstone Grange. 
Canterlury, July Qth, 1860. John Wilson, Edinburgh. 
Supplementary Repwt. 
The annual trials of Steam-Ploughs, of which details have been given in the 
present and in previous reports, have made kno-wn the different principles of 
their constniction and of their working arrangements, and the results of the 
trials have borne testimony to the quality of their performance in the field. 
These trials, however, have always been carefully prepared for, and carried 
on imder exceptional conditions, while, at the same time, their duration has 
been too short to give them that practical value which alone can satisfy the 
public as to the advantages Steam-Ploughs actually possess. 
It appears to us that the time has now arrived for testing, by a prolonged 
trial on the farm, their capability of sustaining the character they have acquired 
in the trial-field for economy and excellence of work. We beg, therefore, to 
suggest to the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England the 
desirability of a prolonged trial — say for six consecutive days — under such 
conditions as to soils and season as the Council may consider most suitable for 
practically testing their powers. 
WiLLUM Owen, Eotheram. 
Owen Wallis, Overstone Grange. 
John Wilson, Edinburgh. 
