400 Report on Steam Cultivation at Newcastle. 
and Cultivator combined. It is only fair to state that the surface in this field 
was somewhat trodden, aud in places the furrows had to be crossed by the 
implement, disadvantages which were duly noticed by the Judges. Just as 
at Worcester, the implement was driven too fast to allow of good work. 
The furrow was most irregular and broken, and in places it was difficult 
to decide from the appearance of the surface whether it was ploughing or culti- 
vating. The depth was unequal, and altogether indifferent work was made. 
Mr. Steevens has considerably strengthened and improved his implement since 
Worcester ; the principle is the same, but the arrangements for steering and 
reversing the lower frames, which carry the working parts of the plough 
are by an ingenious arrangement made to work in each other — that is, the 
connecting-rod by which the frames are raised passes through the steering-rod, 
which is hollow. This implement was so briefly alluded to in the Worcester 
Eeport that we think a short description may be acceptable. It is perfectly 
rectangular in outline, and of equal height from back to front ; consisting of 
two frames, of which the upper one is fixed, having small wheels at either end 
travelling on the hard surface, which tend to keep it rigid ; the under frame is 
divided into two portions, each being independent. The cultivating imple- 
ments are fixed to the lower frames, and are elevated and depressed by means 
of a rack and pinion. The man's seat is part of the upper frame ; so the 
implement when entering the soil takes its depth according to the position to 
which it is regulated by the rack and pinion, uninfluenced by his weight. 
The implement enters the ground more readily than the balance plough, and 
on a perfectly level surface and mild soil would undoubtedly make good work ; 
where the surface is irregular and hard, the depth is uneven, and when ridge 
and furrow were crossed the work was very bad, little or no soil being moved 
through the low ground. The rapidity with which the double engines got to 
work was very remarkable, only six minutes being occupied in putting down 
the tackle, and this without any employment of horse-power. These tests 
were not applied to the trial No. 5 on the following day ; but since the actual • 
coal consumed by. Messrs. Garrett and Son whilst in work was 11 cwt. 1 qr. 
14 lbs., it was assumed that the difference between this and 13 cwt. 20 lbs., 
the fuel used by Steevens, would be required to get up the steam of the two 
engines. 
Messrs. Garrett worked one of Howard's Four-furrow Ploughs, which will 
be described further on. The pace was rather slower than with Steevens' 
implement, the furrow less broken, and the depth more even. The work was 
fair, though not nearly equal to that made on Plot 1. The labour employed 
was — 
Two engineers 
One ploughman .. 
One porter-lad 
Water-cart and boy 
Oil 
Total 17 6 
We noticed an improvement in these engines in the position of the cylinders, 
which were formerly in the front, and arc now brought to about the centre of 
the engine and placed above and below the boiler. The winding-drums worked 
smoothly, and the guide-pulleys coiled the ropes with great regularity ; the 
great weight of these engines — nearly twelve tons each when at work— and the 
fuel consumed for work done, are items which contrast unfavourably with 
Fowler's double engines working simultaneously. 
s. a. 
7 0a day. 
3 0 „ 
2 0 „ 
4 0 „ 
1 G 
