408 Report on Steam Cultivation at Newcastle. 
for going into the low ground.. The total cost will appear heavy, probably 
some extra fuel was consumed in consequence of the delay. 
In the adjoining field Messrs. Fowler and Howard ran a neck-and-neck race. 
Fowler occupied Lot 3, the upper portion, with one of his 7-horse engines, 
working a 4-tined balance Cultivator. The pressure of steam was seldom less 
than 105, and ranged between this and 115 lbs. on the square inch. The pace 
was tremendous ; consequently the work was irregular, and in several places 
portions of ground were missed. The depth varied, but would not average 
more than five inches ; and, as will be seen by reference to the Table, less soil 
was moved than on any other lot. We strongly deprecate these racing trials, 
which really afford no criterion of what can be done in an ordinary day's 
work on a farm. Here was a rare opportunity for showing really good work 
in a practical form ; and instead of this Ave saw the power of a nominal 
7-horse engine to do the work of a 12 or 14-horse engine, and some very in- 
different cultivation. We trust the public will not suppose that good cultivation 
can be effected for a total cost of 2s. "cA.d. per acre. If they double this sum 
they will probably be still under the mark. Except on quite light soils, a 7-horse 
engine is not sufficiently powerful ; and we are convinced that Mr. Fowler 
would not recommend his customers, except under peculiar circumstances, to 
invest in a single engine of this class. It is always good economy to have so 
much power that the engine may be master of its work. What would be the 
condition of an engine after a year's work similar to this trial ? Would it not 
be worn out, or at any rate greatly injured ? Our calculations for wear and 
tear are, consequently, altogether insufficient for such work as this.* Then, 
again, let it be borne in mind that good work on a hard unbroken surface is im- 
possible when the implement is driven fast. Three miles an hour is the out- 
side pace for work such as this, and whenever this is exceeded something must 
suffer. There is another consideration that may well induce the Society to 
check such exhibitions, viz., the public safety. It was a most fortunate 
circumstance that this engine was working from the near side : had it 
been otherwise, the fly-wheel, which from some imperfection in the key 
(which either fell out or broke) fled off the shaft, instead of alighting against 
the hedge, must have dashed into the group of spectators, causing a frightful 
loss of life. It may be said that this Avas quite an exceptional accident, but 
was it not in consequence of the excessive speed causing intense vibration, 
that the key gave way ? 
Messrs. Howard, in Lot 4, made better work than Fowler, though here the 
pace Avas much faster than Avould be desirable for every-day work. The smoke- 
box and lower part of the funnel Avere nearly red hot, and Avould very soon 
have been burnt through, and the Avear and tear must have been great. The 
implement travelled at a great pace, and coming in contact with a large stone, 
the shock Avas sufficient to throw the driver Avith violence to the ground, 
Avhere he lay for some minutes stunned and sick. The land was decidedly 
better moved than Lot 3, though here and there we found missed spots, and Ave 
should have preferred a somewhat rougher surface. G20 tons were moved per 
acre, the average depth being about 5j inches. It Avill be seen that the time 
occupied in actual work Avas nearly identical : had the time of getting up steam, 
setting down tackle, &c, been noted, Fowler would have gained somewhat. 
Here, again, as in all the other trials, Fowler's engines prove themselves the 
best constructed to economise fuel ; this is probably due to the greater extent 
of heating-surface in the boiler in proportion to the horse-power. We have 
* In reference to this question, we may remark that the actual wear and tear 
on the boiler and furnace of an engine bears a close proportion to the amount of 
fuel eonsumed ; thus the greater the latter, the greater will be the wear and tean 
