328 Steam Cultivation. 
to making more than two furrows 10 inches deep. This accounts 
for the more than ordinary wear of rope per acre, as a two-furrow 
plough, to accomplish the same work as one working four fur- 
rows, will have to make double the number of journeys, and the 
wear of the rope will consequently be doubled. This estimate 
refers to Fowler's original tackle with the figure-of-8 arrangement 
of drum-pulleys. Experience has proved that with his slack-gear 
and improved clip-drum the wear of the rope is much less. The 
durability of the rope depends also a good deal on the treatment 
and the care that is taken of it. When it is at work a sufficient 
number of porters should be used to prevent it from trailing on 
the ground, and it is also very essential that they should be kept 
in a direct line one with another and with the engine and 
anchor ; for if they are placed zigzag, the friction and consequent 
wear of both rope and porter sheaves are very much increased. 
Another important matter is to prevent the rope from corroding. 
At the end of the season, and before it is laid aside for the 
winter, a coating of a mixture of tar, pitch, and grease should be 
applied immediately on the completion of the work, and before 
rust has effected a lodgment. We find that 8 gallons Stockholm 
tar, 8 lbs. pitch, and 12 lbs. grease is sufficient for 1200 yards of 
rope. The whole is melted, and kept at a boiling heat over a 
slow fire of coke, in a cast-iron box having at each end near the 
top a hole fitted with a moveable roller, through and under which 
the rope is passed and coiled up as it comeS out. A box about 
24 inches by 12 inches, and 10 inches deep, will be found of a 
suitable size. This coating is found completely to prevent rust, 
and to add to the durability of the rope. 
When a rope breaks, it can be spliced in about 20 to 30 
minutes ; therefore when breakages are frequent, the loss sus- 
tained by delay becomes important. It is therefore very false 
economy to continue to use one so much worn as to be liable to 
snap at any little extra strain that may be applied to it. 
Annual Outgoings and Repaiiis. 
According to Mr. Fowler's price-list the nominal cost of his 
12-horse power engine and balance-plough, &c,, is 825/. ; but 
with water-cart, extras, and other incidental expenses, we believe 
the actual outlay to be nearer 870/., and we enter it accordingly. 
From the able report of the Judges of the Steam Cultivators 
at the Royal Agricultural Society's Show at Leeds we gather 
that, in estimating the cost per acre of the work done, they con- 
sider 5 per cent, sufficient interest for the capital outlay in the 
purchase of an engine, &c. ; and that 12^ on Fowler's, and 
15 per cent, on the apparatus of the other exhibitors, would be 
sufficient to cover the expense of wear and tear ; but, with the 
