Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 1.djvu/344

Rh 318 AGRICULTUEE [MACHINES AND how hard the ground, it will break it up, aud on sidehills it goes much steadier and better than my old one. The first steel rope I had did above 2000 acres, and I have a small portion of it, at work yet. If people mean to have their ropes last, they must keep them off the ground, and attend well to the coiling on the windlass drums. I like your new rollers, which carry the rope further from the ground. I am, Gentlemen, yours very truly, &quot; Messrs J. & F. Howard, Bedford. WILLIAM PIKE.&quot; It is due to Messrs Howard to state that their numerous other customers concur in testifying to the general efficiency of their tackle, its little liability to breakage or derange ment, and to the readiness with which their ordinary farm labourers have learned to work it efficiently. By this time cultivation by steam-power had been adopted by enterprising individuals in nearly every county in England, and was making steady progress in the face of many hindrances. In every instance the purchaser and his servants had to learn the use of novel and somewhat complicated machinery ; much of which, as first sent on t, proved to be defective both in structure and in material. Tike fields also, through lack of preparation, often presented obstacles which, as experience was gained, were seen ar.d remedied. In a few instances, where the purchaser of steam tackle was either unable to give his personal super intendence, or lacked the needed energy and perseverance to cope with the difficulties of a new enterprise, it proved a failure. But with rare exceptions, easily accounted for, it was everywhere demonstrated that by steam-power and appropriate implements, the tillage of the soil can be per formed with a rapidity, efficiency, and economy far excelling what is practicable by animal power and the old implements. In the autumn of 18G6, by which date steam tillage had greatly extended, the Royal Agricultural Society of England sent out three sets of commissioners to inspect and report on the position of steam cultivation at that time. The reports obtained were published in the Society s Journal for 1867, and present a mass of most interesting and instructive in formation on the whole subject. The commissioners visited about 150 farms situated in nearly 40 different counties of England, and a few in East Lothian, containing an aggregate area of 06,000 acres, which they estimate to be about a third of the whole area then under steam cultiva tion. They amply confirm what has already been stated as to the success of this new system of tillage, and make it plain that the changes thus brought about are of such im portance as really to amount to a revolution in modern agriculture. At its annual show in 1871, at Wolverhampton, the English Society again provided for a careful competitive trial of steam-tillage machinery, when the following awards were made : CLASS I. For the best combination of machinery for the cultiva tion of the soil by steam-power 1st Prize, 100 Awarded to Messrs J. Fowler & Co., Leeds. 2d Prize, 50 do. do. do. CLASS II. For the best combination of machinery for the cultiva tion of the soil by steam-power, the weight of the steam-engine not to exceed 10 tons 1st Prize, 50 Awarded to Messrs Fowler, Leeds. 2d Prize, 25 Awarded to the llavensthorpc Engineering Co. (Fisken system i. CLASS III. For the best combination of machinery for the cultiva tion of the soil by an ordinary agricultural engine, whether self-propelling or portable. 1st Prize, 50 Awarded to Messrs Fowler, Leeds. 2d Prize, 25 Awarded to Messrs Howard, Bedford. A Silver Cup, value 100, offered by the Eight Hon. Lord Vernon, president, for the best combination of machinery for the culti vation of the soil by steam-power, the cost of which shall not exceed 700. The engine to be locomotive, and adapted for threshing and other farm purposes. Awarded to Messrs Fowler & Co., Leeds. Steam cultivation has now ceased to be a novelty, and is making rapid progress in all parts of Great Britain and in foreign countries. In March 1873, at an agricultural meet ing, it was stated by Messrs Fowler it Co. of Leeds, that they are turning out annually from their works about 100 sets of their tackle for the home market, and from 50 to 60 for foreign countries. Of their home sales about half are to private individuals, and half to persons who work them for hire. In a district around Magdeburgh fifty sets of their tackle are employed in cultivating the soil for the growth of sugar-beet. The other leading makers are also doing a large business, with the certainty of its becoming larger every year. The expiry of several patents applicable to steam cultivating tackle is giving an additional stimulus to the manufacture of such machines. Partly in this way, and also by contrivances of their own, the Messrs Howard of Bedford have recently (1873) made very considerable changes and progress with their tackle. Their self-acting anchors, and their turning cultivator, which is constructed on an entirely new principle, are, said to be respectively the best of their kind. Section 5. Harrows. When a field has been broken up by the plough, it is usually next operated upon by the harrow, whether the object be to prepare it for and to cover in seeds, or to bring clods and roots to the surface. This is virtually a rake dragged by horses. In its most ordinary form, the framework is of wood with iron tinqs, of which each harrow contains twenty. Formerly each horse dragged a single harrow, although two or more w r ere worked abreast. Under this arrangement the harrows had too much independent motion, and were liable to get foul of each other. This has been remedied, first, partially, by coupling them loosely by riders, and then more effectually by a hinge-like joining, which allows a separate vertical motion, but only a combined horizontal one. A rhomboidal form is also given to this pair of harrows usually called brakes so that when properly yoked, no two tines run in the same track. This description of harrow is now frequently made entirely of iron. Howard s patent harrows are a further improvement on this implement. The zig-zag form given to each section en- Howard s Patent Harrow. ables the whole so to fit in, that the working parts arc equally distributed over the space operated upon. The number of times is 75, instead of 40, as in the form last noticed, and yet, from the form of frame and manner of coupling, the tines are well apart, and have each a separate line of action. Practical farmers speak very highly of the effective working of this implement. By an exceedingly simple contrivance, the centre part when turned on its back forms a sledge on which its fellows can be piled and drawn along from one field to another. A light description of harrows, with smaller and more numerous tines, is some times used for covering in grass-seeds. If a harrow is to be used at all for this purpose, Howard s is a very suitable