Report on Steam Cultivation at Newcastle. 403 
broken up, ho sent for a powerful 3-tincd (Jigger, using Cotgrcavc's forked 
breasts. This change of plan caused considerable delay, so that noon was 
ptast before work commenced. The public were recompensed for the delay, by 
the sight of some splendid work which we consider fairly deserved to be called 
digging, as the soil was broken up from 8 to 9 inches deep. This implement 
appears to us the most perfect that has as yet been used for steam cultivation ; 
it was not the most suitable for the job in hand, as it partly buried the 
rubbish which should have been on the surface, but as a means of breaking 
up the soil in rough masses, and leaving the surface exposed to the influence 
of frost, it is invaluable for autumn work. The soil, 9-0 tons per acre, was 
thoroughly moved, an even bottom being left. 
We may here remark that having tested the capacity of the various systems 
for getting up steam, preparing for work, &c, in the previous'trial, no further 
notes were taken on these points. The coal consumed as noted in Table II. 
is the quantity employed during actual work. In each case the soil was 
carefully shovelled away, so as to leave a trench right across the work — the 
character of the bottom was thus ascertained. Our Awards were as follows : — ■ 
, First Prize, 100?., to John Fowler, for his two 7-horse Engines, &c. (1540). 
Second Prize, 50?., „ 14-horse Engine, Anchor, &c. 
(1539). 
Highly Commended. E. Garrett and Sons, for Improvements in Double 
Engines (Savory's patent). 
Class II. 
The trial of systems for small occupations was conducted on precisely the 
same plan as those in Class I. On Thursday, July 14, ploughs working 7 
inches deep competed. There were three entries : Messrs. Howard, and Messrs. 
Fowler with two systems. Lots of about 3 acres were measured out side by 
side. The soil was uniform in character and easily stirred. ' 
Lot 1 was drawn by the Messrs. Howard, who used one of Clayton and 
Shuttleworth's 10-horse Portable Engines, working their double windlass and 
four-furrow plough on the well-known round-about system. There is little 
alteration to notice in their well-made machinery since the Worcester Meeting. 
The windlass has been strengthened by the extension of the supporting 
brackets. The arrangement for throwing either windlass in or out of gear is 
ingenious and simple. The shaft works on an eccentric, so that either end 
can be lowered or raised ; as the windlass is lowered its motion is instantly 
arrested by a wooden break, and when again it is partially raised, and placed 
in position, a gentle check is maintained which prevents the slack rope 
from being given off too rapidly; the power that would otherwise be lost, 
by this operation is partially reclaimed by the action of the double snatch - 
block, which, since Worcester, has received the addition of a flange on the 
slack-rope disc. 
The plough consists "of a strong carriage on four wheels, the moveable frames 
at either end carrying the working parts, which when out of ground are sup- 
ported by strong springs fixed on the carriage. The plough is steered by a 
lever action on the front wheels. The implement has been considerably 
strengthened, and the vibration noticed in the Worcester Report is not now 
visible. The Anchor arrangements were unaltered, and there was still the 
same liability to drag, though no accident of the sort occurred. We particu- 
larly call attention to the time occupied in getting up steam and setting down 
the apparatus as detailed in Table No. III., and to the large horse-strength 
required to move the apparatus from field to field : to do this at one operation 
would require about 8 horses— a greater strength than ought to be found on a 
small occupation using steam power. The cost for labour" &c, would be : — 
Engineer 
