24 
Agricultural Progress and 
A Steam-plough Company was formed in Gloucestershire, in 
1860, under very good auspices, but did not succeed, in conse-' 
quence of the long periods of enforced idleness which occurred 
whenever the weather was unfavourable. Another company has 
been formed at Wakefield, in Yorkshire, which hopes to sur- 
mount this difficulty, by undertaking steam-thrashing, sawing, 
grinding, &c, whenever the engines cannot go on the land. The 
results, so far, are highly encouraging. 
The present position of the question seems to be, that on large 
arable farms steam-cultivation is a decided success, especially 
where the land is so laid out that the apparatus can be worked in 
the most effectual and economical manner. 
That on farms of moderate size it can also be applied with 
advantage, by employing ploughs or cultivators which do not 
require an engine of higher power than can be usefully employed 
on ordinary barn- work. 
Lastly, that even small farms may derive considerable benefit 
from steam-cultivation, as soon as companies or private capitalists 
will undertake this kind of work, which they may do with 
advantage, either by the employment of small cultivators with 
one engine of moderate power, or by combining two such on 
the twin-engine principle. 
Effect of Free Trade. — The influence of the competition arising 
from free trade on the demand for improved agricultural ma- 
chinery has already been pointed out. By the courtesy of the 
authorities of the Board of Trade, we are now enabled to furnish 
tables showing the full extent of the competition which British 
farmers have to meet in their two staple products of corn and 
meat. 
Table (C.) shows the quarters of wheat, barley, oats, maize, peas 
and beans, and the hundredweights of flour imported in each 
of the years 1839-1862. Large as these quantities undoubtedlv 
are, we are satisfied that they do not warrant the opinion generally 
entertained that, since the adoption of free- trade, the importation 
of foreign wheat and flour has been increasing faster than the 
consumption- — or in other words, that the production of wheat in 
this country is declining, and that its place is being supplied by 
importation. It is much to be regretted that on a question of 
so much interest to the agriculturist, the capitalist, and the 
statesman, we should have no reliable statistics by which to 
test the correctness of this opinion. Indirect proof is all 
that can be adduced. We trust that it will be considered con- 
clusive. 
The most superficial examination of the accompanying table 
will show that a very large increase in the importation of wheat 
