39G Report on Steam Cultivation at Newcastle. 
different trials, and in giving directions to the surveyor for the measurement 
of the lots. Much valuable time during the earlier part of the trials was thus 
consumed ; and the judges would respectfully suggest that in future it would 
be desirable that the visiting Committee be empowered to decide upon the sizo 
of the plots, and arrange for their being measured and marked out, so that the 
judges would merely decide as to the sites most suitable for the various 
trials. 
As three of the fields were clover ley, it was decided to test the capabilities 
of competitors in Classes I. and II., for both ploughing and cultivating, without, 
however, disqualifying any merely cultivating apparatus from inability to 
plough. 
Class I. 
On Wednesday, July 13th, the real work commenced with Class I., plough- 
ing clover ley, 7 inches deep. Five competitors appeared, but as Messrs. 
Stevens, and Garrett and Sons employed the same power (Savory's double en- 
gines), the trial for the latter firm was necessarily deferred until the following day. 
The first three entries occupied a field adjoining the scene of Tuesday's opera- 
tions, Messrs. Stevens and Garrett and Sons being placed side by side in a 
ground of 14 acres on the other side of the road. 
The following Table will explain the method of trial adopted, and it-will be 
seen that some new tests were introduced. The time occupied in getting up 
steam, and in arranging the tackle for work after reaching the field, was 
accurately noted ; and it may be as well to remark here, that in all cases the 
work was entirely performed by the regular staff belonging to each system, 
extraneous assistance being forbidden. The entry of fuel includes all that was 
employed from the time of lighting the fires until the work was completed. In 
arriving at the last column, total cost per acre, the same calculations as to 
wear and tear and interest on capital were adopted as at Worcester. Not that 
such figures are absolutely correct. The great speed at which machinery is 
often driven at such trials causes increased wear and tear ; and probably, if we 
doubled this item, wc should be nearer the mark. The reader can. make his 
own calculations ; by adhering to the same data comparisons are rendered 
easy. The labour-column will be found to vary slightly from the same figures 
at Worcester. The cost of the water-cart and lad, taken at 4s. a day, is in- 
cluded ; also a charge for oil, varying from Is. to Is. Gd. a day, according as 
the system requires one or two engines. 
Plots 1 and 2 fell to John Fowler, who occupied Lot 1 with his 14-horse 
engine and anchor, in precisely the same manner as at Worcester. . The four- 
furrow balance-plough, with slack gear, was used on both plots. The speed 
was here very moderate ; and it was evident that Mr. Fowler was specially 
desirous of showing good ploughing. The engine was driven with great steadi- 
ness, and the work was excellent ; indeed, it would have borne comparison with 
much of the horse-ploughing which took place in an adjacent field. From 
close observation during these trials we are .convinced that good ploughing is 
impossible at a speed exceeding 2J miles per hour. If driven faster, the im- 
plement, whatever its construction, becomes unsteady in its movements, either 
jumps out or draws into the soil, according to the amount of resistance, and the 
furrow is left in a broken, uneven condition. 
Steam does not shine as a.ploughing-power. Fortunately it is not often that 
a complete inversion of the soil is necessary or desirable. Cultivation, digging, 
or smashing, will generally prove far more beneficial. All Mr. Fowler's im- 
plements are on the balance or equipoise principle ; whilst there is great merit 
in this arrangement there is one disadvantage which was noticeable throughout 
the trials. This principle enables you readily to lift the frame out of work, or 
to reverse its action, but tends to prevent the ploughs from at once -entering 
