Report on the Trials of Implements at Oxford. 525 
The engine was tried at Oxford, drawing a 4-furrow plougli. The land was 
very dry, and the impression made on tlie surface by the wheels was not great, 
even when taken over the fresh furrow. A great width of headland was neces- 
sary in order to get the plough round ; and we are inclined to think that on a 
soft sticky surface great power would be consumed in moving the engine, and 
that even with india-rubber wheels direct traction is not so economical as a wire 
rope. The engine exhibited at Oxford was H horse-power nominal, the cylinders 
being 6 inches by 10 ; the weight, in work, 6 tons ; and the price at Edin- 
burgh 600?. The load such an engine can draw on an ordinary road depends 
uiwn the inclines : if nothing above 1 in 30, 18 tons ; if 1 in 12, then only 
12 tons. We believe that an omnibus has been constructed and is at work 
between Leith and Edinburgh ; and, should the india-rubber prove sufficiently 
durable, it is quite probable that much may be done in this direction. The 
engine travels at 6 to 7 miles an hour, and runs like a carriage on springs. 
Fig. 18. — Section through hind axle of Fowler's Traction Engine on 
Springs, No. 2811. 
Fcnvler and Co. have achieved a mechanical triumph in their traction engine 
on springs, No. 2811, which was thought by many to be impracticable on 
2 N 2 
