102 Report on Steam Cultivation at Newcastle. 
The remaining trials in Class 1 for Implements competing as Steam Culti- 
vators took place on Saturday, July lGth, in a field of thirty-four acres, 
belonging to Mr. Dod. This was the strongest portion of the land, though 
still not to be compared with the seven years' fallow field at Worcester. But 
if the soil was not extraordinarily stiff, it was remarkably dirty, the surface 
presenting a complete mat of running grass, amongst which the Onion Couch, 
Arenatherum arenaceum, was very conspicuous, and appeared to excite the 
curiosity of spectators, to most of whom it was a novelty. The field was old 
stubble ; the lots about five acres each, and twenty chains long ; the implements 
working up and down the lands. Four competitors appeared : Messrs. Fowler, 
with two sets, and Messrs. Garrett and Savory, both using different forms of 
Howard's Cultivator. Mr. Steevens having no power to draw his implement 
was unable to compete, which was of the less importance as it came into 
competition in Class 4. 
These trials, being properly regarded as affording the most important test of 
the value of the different systems, excited much interest ; and as the work was 
prolonged from about 11 a.m. till 7 P.M. the public had an excellent oppor- 
tunity for careful inspection. 
Lots were drawn in the following order. 
Mr. Fowler occupied Lot 1, with the double engines working a 4-tined 
Cultivator. This work was very good, the surface left somewhat rough and 
open ; the ground thoroughly disturbed, the bottom clean and even, and a 
depth of fully 6 inches moved. The engines were driven at a moderate pace, 
and consequently good work was possible. Although working deeper than 
either of the other Cultivators upon a very foul surface, there was no tendency 
to clog up the form of the frame and breasts allowing the implement to clear 
itself. The quantity of soil actually moved per acre was 775 tons, exceeding 
the best work of Howard's Cultivator by 26 tons. We prefer the work by 
this implement, because, in the event of heavy rain, the vegetable matter 
would not grow so readily, being more thoroughly shaken and separated from 
the soil, and in the succeeding operations the implements would more readily 
break up a rough than a smooth surface. 
Lot 2, Garrett's Double Engines (Savory's patent) came next, working one 
of Howard's large 7-tined Cultivators. The surface was left flatter than 
Fowler's. The depth did not average more than five inches, the implement 
■overlapped its work, and in places portions were missed. This latter fault 
was no doubt attributable to the great pace at which the implement was 
driven (one of the Judges, who was also at Worcester, remarked that these 
engines could not work slowly). The plot was finished nearly an hour 
sooner than the others. Notwithstanding the excessive pace, the fuel con- 
sumed was enormous, a serious item in most districts. When a request was 
made that the depth of the work should bo increased, the implement imme- 
diately clogged up. The soil moved was G91 tons per acre, 84 tons less than 
on Lot 1. 
Lot 3 fell to Savory and Son's Double Windlass Engine, working Howard's 
small Cultivator with Fowler's Anchor. A series of accidents prevented us 
from keeping an accurate record of the time. These delays appeared partly 
due to a want of proper arrangement. Thus the Anchor was placed at too 
great an angle in reference to the power, and consequently dragged ; later on 
the pumps would not work. The land was well moved, the depth about 
inches, the bottom fairly even, and the soil disturbed 749 tons per acre. 
Lot 4 was drawn by Fowler, who used his 14-horse engine, clip-drum and 
windlass, as employed on Lot 1 of the ploughing competition. We believe 
his original intention was to use the 7-tined balance Cultivator, but finding 
the soil too firm for this implement, which is intended to cross land already 
