414 Five Years Progress of Steam Cultivation. 
mined. One thing is certain, that while on many soils a 
"scarified " seed-bed is all that can be wished for, on other soils 
a profuse crop of annual weeds upon non-inverted ground has 
plainly intimated the need for a mouldboard deeply and effectu- 
ally to bury their myriads of seeds and germs. Let me add 
here that the question. What particular processes of tillage should 
I perform ? is not at all coincident or synonymous with another 
question. Which particular set of apparatus should I employ ? 
Procure the moveable or stationary engine machinery that will 
haul any form of implement Avith the greatest amount of economy, 
all things considered, and which is at the same time best adapted 
to the circumstances and requirements of your farm ; and then 
grubbing, ploughing, ridging, raftering, subsoiling, trenching, 
harrowing, pressing, clod-crushing, drilling, are all within your 
grasp, whatever system of husbandry or philosophy of clods and 
tilth may be adopted or indispensable in your case. 
I cannot undertake to pronounce from the evidence hitherto 
collected, what is the minimum of acreage that may profitably 
maintain a steam plough, or to assign such and such a horse-power 
of engine to so many acres of light, medium, or heavy land. 
Example cases, however, variable as they are, may guide intending 
steam-farmers in their choice. 
On some clay lands, the results of steam-culture are so asto- 
nishing that a 500Z. or 600Z. machine has been proved to be an 
invaluable piece of capital on quite a small occupation. Take 
the Woolston farm — the first whole farm ever tilled by a steam- 
engine — now steam-cultivated for more than seven years, with 
the most carefully recorded expenses and results. Does Mr. 
Smith win or lose by employing an 8-horse common portable 
engine upon only 112 acres arable, partly stiff, cold, hilly clay — 
partly a gravelly clay ? The year's work is as follows : — Last 
autumn 33 acres of wheat and barley stubble were *' smashed " 
10 inches deep, and 20 acres of bean stubble were cultivated and 
drilled with wheat at a stroke by the " combined machine ; " the 
succeeding spring-work consisted of 22 acres cross-cultivated 
and drilled with beans at one operation, and 25 acres after roots • 
"fed-on," cultivated and drilled with barley by the combined 
machine : altogether 100 acres worked in 19 days. The wages 
paid were 18/. 2s. 6t/. ; the coal burned, 7 tons (at 17s. 6c?.), 
6/. 2s. 6</. ; oil, 19s. ; the repairs and estimated wear of rope 
(Mr. Smith insisting upon it that there has been no perceptible 
wear of rope ; but still for fear of under-stating the expense, 
putting this item at) 6Z. 15s. ; working expenses thus amounting 
to 31/. 19s. Mr. Smith considers that 10 per cent, upon first 
cost is a sufficient allowance for both interest and depreciation ; 
and that only one-tenth of this ought to be charged upon his 
