HOWARD'S B.Z.O.L. DIGGING PLOUGH.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7863, 14 May 1891, Page 2

HOWARD'S 8.Z.0.L. DIGGING PLOUGH.

BY OTJR AGRICULTURAL BEPOBTES. The fame of Messrs J. and F. Howard, of Bedford, England, whose representatives in this colour are Measrs J. and C. Howard, of Sydney, in the manufacture of practical farming implements has gone forth into all lands. So then in this colony for many years it has been pleasing to welcome from time to time these implements which have been put forth with a view to advance tillage and production of heavier and better agricultural crops. Among the many competitions for doublefurrow ploughing, persons interested have been advised that the latest plough, the 8.Z.0.L., possesses a superiority over all competitors and imitators. A practical teat, and the opinion of working farmers is probably the beet recommendation or verification of this statement, and at the public trial held on April 29ch, at Mr Kenneth Mclntoeh'a farm, Soutbbrook, the. opinions of those qualified to give a verdict pronounced unhesitatingly in favour of the last of Messrs Howard's ploughs. None of the soils are yet sufficiently moist to suit the operation of ploughing, according to old convictions, but whether the land is of the proper consistency to allow of free work, or dry as hardbake, seems to be all alike to the implement under notice. With a fourhorse team Mr Mclntosh just took it into a piece of consolidated land, upon which was a tough sward of grass, where its effect was to completely pulverise the soil and tuck in all the grass, so that not a trace was to be seen, whilst when the work was finished the furrows could not be distinguished for the thorough tilth to which the laud had been subjected. T,he plough was further tried in stubble, making a magnificent performance, digging and upturning the soil from a depth of eleven inches. In their action the mould boards do not leave the furrows in even slices like bars 'of soap for the rain to glanca off, but the earth is turned over, broken up, and distributed in a similar way that would happen if the land was well dug by manual labour with spades. Alongside the Howard's plough was another ordlqary double-furrow, the work done by which was in striking contrast. By the old process many of the compacted furrows were left standing on edge, with the grass showing through and gaping hollows between ; by the new the earth was rendered friable, all vegetation buried, and the soil left as a gardener would wish to see it. An inspection of the B. Z. O. L. proves that the plough is well made and possesses its principal features in the chisel point of the share, which is chilled, and said to be procurable at the low price of sixpence. Then the breasts or mould boards, are chilled on their surface. The plough has a shin piece that takes the place of an ordinary coulter, which is capable of taking and preserving a sharp edge. It was pointed out that the implement could be adjusted to any depth required; also that the tail piece ot the mouldboard is capable of regulation. It is almost unnecessary to say that, like all Messrs Howard's implements, there is a high degree of stability in the implement to ensure the discharge of hard work, as well as the cultivation of every kind of soil, whether rich or poor, hard or loos*. It is a plough and clod-breaker combined. Mr Mclntosh expressed the opinion that reviewing many years of hie farming life in the old world and the new, he had never seen a better bit of ploughing than that made on his farm ou Wednesday. A number of farmers were present, who one and all were alike pleased with the results, also with the noticeably light draught.