STEAM PLOUGHING

Steam-Ploughing.-This answers the use of a gang-plough hauled across and across or else around the field by means of wire ropes, the steam-engine remaining stationary.

In Fig. 22 is represented Fowler's double-engine system,* which requires two engines, one on each headland, each of which alternately draws the cultivating implement across the field. Each engine is provided with a winding or hauling drum, which in turn pulls the implement and pays out the slack rope. This system is both simple and effective. The implement is drawn with considerable velocity- often much faster than a man can walk-and the steam drag or harrow will pass over front fifty to sixty acres of land per day Fowler's double-engine system appeals to large capitalists, but the same firm also provides good single engine sets for the use of smaller employers.

The single-engine system (Fig. 23) requires an engine on one headland and a self-moving windlass oil the other. The engine is provided with the patent Burton clip-drum, capable of hauling the cultivating implement backward and forward between the engine and windlass. Both engine and windlass travel along the two headlands opposite each other.

A third system is offered in Fig. 24, in which the engine remains stationary, and the rope is arranged in an irregular triangle or square, while the implement passes to and fro between two fixed anchors, rendered movable at pleasure. This is called the " round-about system," because the rope is carried around anchors and incloses the space to be cultivated. The several systems thus slightly described will be more easily understood by reference to the accompanying diagrams. One of the main advantages of the " roundabout " plan is that it enables the farmer to employ any ordinary traction-engine for ploughing purposes, and thus reduces the amount of capital required in commencing steam-cultivation.

The following particulars, taken from one of the Royal Agricultural Society's Immanent Cataloges will give the reader a good idea of what is included in a set of steam-cultivating implements. Messrs. J. Fowler and Co.'s double engine, 20 horsepower set, consists of a pair of 20 horse-power self-moving engines with single cylinders, fitted with single winding drums, 800 yards of best steel-wire rope, and works a thirteen-tined cultivator. There may be a six-furrow balance combined plough and digger in addition.

It appears from a test of Messrs. Fowler and Co.'s apparatus, made by the Royal Agricultural Society, that the machine was able to turn over soil in an efficient manner at a saving as compared with horse labor on light land of 2 1/2 to 25 per cent. ; on heavy land 25 to 30 per cent.; and in trenching 80 to 85 per cent.

* From " British Manufacturing Industries," article, Agricultural Machinery, by G. P. Bevan, F.G.S.

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