20 
Land & Water 
'April IT, 19 I 8 
Motor Tractors in Agriculture: By H. 
A Steel Mule breaking up Grass Land 
By courtesy oj the Hif:Uand Agricullural Sociely, ScollanJ 
emi 
■"■ ^HE gradual adaptation and improvehient of 
. I machinery for agricultural uses was a well- 
■ marked feature of the latter half of the nineteenth 
H century, a period which was especially notable 
-^ for the introduction of the self-binder, which is 
still one of the most ingenious of farm implements and the 
greatest of labour- savers. 
The inventiveness and resource of the agricultural engineer 
* throughout the same period evolved various farm implements 
now considered almost indispensable, such as corn-drills, 
potato-diggers, cultivators of various descriptions, and a 
variety of machines for dealing with the hay crop. On 
large arable farms at the present day an inspection of the 
implement shed is an indication of the large quantity of 
expensive machinery now considered essential for the prompt 
and efficient performance of the various agricultural opera- 
tions. For the care and best use of such implements not 
only the farmer, but those in his employ, must have quite a 
considerable mechanical knowledge such as was Uttle thought 
of even thirty years ago. 
The severity of the period of agricultural depression 
between the 'eighties and the end of the nineteenth century 
no doubt gave, an increased stimulus to the use of machinery 
in agriculture. The low level to which prices fall made it 
impossible to employ profitably as much manual labour as 
formerly, even at the moderate rate of wages then prevailing, 
and if agriculture was to be carried on at all an increased 
reliance on mechanical power became inevitable. During 
this period, however, the whole trend of invention was in the 
improvement and perfecting of the implement or machine 
which it was always assumed would be horse-drawn, and no 
other form of motive power was thought to be possible in 
practice. It is true that fully fifty years ago high expecta- 
tions were formed of the capabilities of steam ploughing ; 
but, from one cause or another, steam tackle gradually went 
out of use, and was almost entirely abandoned. Objections 
were found in the severe compression of the soil at the ends 
of the fields by heavy engines, the ill effects of which were 
in some cases apparent for several years. Damage was also 
done in many instances to tile drains, and on uneven ground 
it was difficult to maintain the plough or other implement 
at an even depth. 
The invention of the internal combustion engine, and its 
rapid application to motor traction on roads, not unnaturally 
turned the thoughts of engineers afresh to the problem of 
motive power in substitution for horses in agricultural opera- 
tions. Moreover, with the early years of the present century 
came signs of a slight revival in agricultural prosperity, 
accompanied in many districts by ah increasing scarcity of 
agricultural labour. Emigration of agricultural workers to 
Canada and Australia became considerable, and the question 
of rural depopulation began to engage the serious attention 
of politicians and economists. One view e.xpressed was that 
agricultural labour was being driven off the land by the 
increasing use of machinery. This explanation was, hovvever, 
manifestly incorrect, seeing that there was no agriculturai 
unemployment. . What had in realitv occurred was that the 
increasing scarcity of labour had compelled the farmer to 
rely more and more on machinery in place of manual labour. 
These conditions have, as is well known, become greatly 
aggravated since the outbreak of war. Agriculture has, in 
common with other industries, contributed her full quota 
to the fighting forces ; but has felt the strain in a special 
degree, partly owing to the fact that the rural population 
form the healthiest and strongest class from which recruits 
are drawn, and also on account of the urgent demands now 
being made for increased cultivation. 
There can be little doubt that for these reasons, coupled 
with the increased cost of labour, the application of mechanical 
traction for agricultural work has received its greatest impetus. 
Motor tractors have been so much advertised anc> written 
about that it is almost impossible for anyone not an 
expert to form a reliable opinion upon respective merits. 
One farmer may state he has found a certain type of tractor 
invaluable and reliable for ploughing and other kinds of 
work. Another farmer may, from his experience, express 
an entirely contrary view. Such conflicting evidence merely 
goes to prove that the agricultural tractor is vet in its infancy, 
and that its development within the next few years dan 
scarcely be foreseen. It may be asserted, however, with 
.some confidence, that tractors have come to stay— at any 
rate, in the cultivation of large arable farms-^and that 
improvement in design and increasing reliabilitv mav be 
looked for in the future. 
Probably the most extensive and complete demonstrations 
and trials of iigricultural tractors which have yet taken 
place in this country were those organised bv the" Highland 
and Agricultural Society of Scotland in the autumn of 191 7 
The trials were held at three centres-Edinburgh, Glasgow, 
and Perth— and a special report has been published deahng 
with the results. {Demonstration of Agricultuml Tractors and 
Ploughs. Messrs. William Blackwood & Sons, October, 1917.) 
Twenty-nine tractors were entered, and a short description 
and illustration of each is given in the report. To anyone 
desiring full information on the subject this report will repav 
careful study. The Conmiittee have avoided placing the 
tractors entered for the trials in any order of merit, and 
(Continued on page 22.) 
