Report on Steam Cultivation at Newcastle. 
405 
8. 
d. 
.. .. 3 
C a day 
o 
o » 
o 
6 „ 
.. 4 
o „ 
2 
6 
,, 4 
0 „ 
Oil 
.. .. 1 
0 n 
Total 
, 20 
6 
The work was very good, the furrow laid over evenly, and the depth gene- 
rally well maintained : nor must it be forgotten that the round-about system is 
specially adapted for fields of irregular shape, as it can work corners that it 
would be difficult if not impossible for the direct system to deal with. 
Lot 2 was selected by Mr. Fowler for one of his 7-horse Engines and 
Anchor, working a three-furrow plough, driven at a pressure of 100 lbs. on 
the square inch ; the work done was really extraordinary, much too fast, 
however, for the furrow to be even ; it was more broken and irregular than in 
Lot 1. The engine moved into the field, drawing the plough behind it, tra- 
versing stiff ridge and furrow ; three horses brought the remainder of the tackle, 
which was ready for work in 35 minutes after reaching the field. The con- 
sumption of fuel, including getting up steam, was very moderate. The labour 
the same as that required by the 14-horse Engine as already detailed. 
Lot 3 was also occupied by Mr. Fowler, who here showed a modification of 
his system suitable for an ordinary 10-horse Portable Engine. A self-moving 
clip-drum on a carriage, firmly attached to the engine, was driven from the 
fly-wheel by a belt composed of wooden joints faced with iron. This runs very 
loose, and being of considerable weight bellies down so as to take a good grip 
of both the driving and driven wheels; the clip-drum carriage draws itself and 
the engine forward as the work proceeds, by winding up a rope precisely in the 
same way as the moveable anchor ; the windlass-man throwing the drum in 
and out of gear at the same time that he reverses the motion of the clip-drum. 
It is a very ingenious arrangement, and may deserve the consideration of those 
who already possess a portable engine, and have good square fields. Still, at 
the best, we must regard it as a makeshift, and liable to the same objection as 
Messrs. Howard's system — viz., the large strength of horses reqtured for 
removals, and the longer time consumed in preparing for work. These details 
unfortunately could not be ascertained, in consequence of Mr. Fowler's engine 
being unprovided with the regulation steam-gauge, so that operations were 
delayed about two hours whilst one was fitted on. We believe, however, that 
about the same time would be taken up in this, as in the preceding case. 
The four-furrow plough was used, and the work done was excellent. As the 
plots were of unequal length, the Judges counted the number of turns made 
by each implement, and allowed accordingly. The labour, &c, employed 
amounted to — 
s. d. 
1 engineer 3 6a day. 
1 ploughman .. .. 3 0 „ 
1 windlass-man 2 6 „ 
1 anchor-lad 2 0 „ 
2 porter-boys 2 6 „ 
Water-cart and boy 4 0 ,, 
Oil _1_0 „ 
Total n 18 6 
