Reports on Steam Cultivation. 125 
Grace, and, if well arranged, will be a saving of a large annual 
expenditure in the maintenance of horses. The work the engines 
perform will certainly be equal to that of 25 horses (or about one- 
fourth of the total number used), costing the farmer annually 
for their keep, shoeing, risk, and depreciation of value from 30/. 
to 35/. each, or a total of from 750/. to 875/. 
But, perhaps, the best test of the saving in the cost of horse- 
labour, as against steam, is to calculate the expense of a deep- 
j)l()ughing early in autumn, the plougliings, grubbings, and 
harrowings the following spring in pr(>])ariug the land for green 
crops or wheat, and these I estimate at "2,1. bs. per acre (though I 
am advised by practical farmers that that is within rather than over 
the regular cost), and for 400 acres the sum of 900/., showing a 
benefit to the tenantry within the district mentioned and an 
advantage in favour of steam of about 400/. per annum. 
I have the honour to be, my Lord Duke, 
Your Grace's most obedient servant, 
Jos. Snowball. 
To His Onto.' the Ditke of Kortliuniherhind. 
Est.-.tes Oflici', Ahnvick Castle, 
December 30tii, ISGO. 
31y Lord Duke, 
It is now nearly a j'ear since 1 reported upon the plan 
that had been adopted by your Grace upon your farms in the 
district of Acklington, Northumberland, for the cultivation of 
the land by steam ; and as the engines and apparatus have been 
at work for a full year it may be satisfactory to all concerned 
to know the result of the year's experience. In the report 
alluded to, I estimated the cost of working the machinery and 
tackle for a year at 494/. 5s. That sum has been exceeded by 
110/. 55. \0d.; but the workmen having been taught their duties 
a part of the year, an experienced engineman and extra hands 
added materially to the wages ; although this expense will not 
occur again, it is found that the estimate for labour in my first 
report is much too low. 
The particulars of the expenses I give as follows : — 
£ s. (1. 
Enginemcn and -n'orkmcn's wages for Olio year .. 2S-i 12 -i 
Eepairs, oil and materials 143 12 G 
Interest upon capital 1,526?. at 5 per cent 7<! 6 0 
For a depreciation fund 100 0 0 
Total (.i04 10 10 
The receipts for the work performed at the low basis of charge 
named in my report in January last are as follows : — ■ 
