STEAM CULVIVATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2547, 6 April 1870, Page 2

STEAM CULVIVATION.

(ThetTimesj January 21st,))

At a meeting of the Highland: Ca»<£ Agricultural Society of Scotland, held *fc Edinburgh on Wednesday, a report waa given in by a.committee with-regard tothe subject of steam cultivation. Th& committee were of opinion that, before % steam plough could be advantageously employed, the land should.be thoroughly cleared of all large stones and other im?pedimeats to the free action of the plough, and that this could be moat effectually done by having the land previously ploughed by horses to the depth of 14 inches, in the same manner as the committee had seen done at Yesterrby tha Marqais of Tweeddale. They also cobsaideredthat further experience of steam, cultivation in Scotland was necessary^ ia order to ascertain the actual expense of it, and the endurance of. the engines and apparatus. On all the farms which they ' had inspected, the machinery was coatparatively new, and it was not to ba expected that much outlay should be re~ quired to keep it in good order. The chairman (the Marquis of Tweeddale) stated that the committee were of opinion that much more informatioa.

"would be required on the subject before it could be said that steam cultivation would be as suitable for Scotland as it ■was for England. The latter country had an advantage in regard to steam cultivation, for the Boil there was mostly alluvial, whereas the soijL in Scotland, brought by currents of water from the Mils into the low country, was mixed with stones, andthe expense of cultivating it was. in consequence much increased.

The Hon. George Waldegrave Leslie suggested that the committee might consider whether Thomson's traction engines could be employed in drawing doublefurrow ploughs. Mr Wilson, Edington Mains, said he had had some experience in steam culti vation, and that he had no hope of seeing any good done with an engine such -as Thomson's, travelling over the ground. Professor Rankine, Glasgow, said that 'Considering the yielding nature of the indiarubber tire wheels of the engine, he •did not think it would make a great impression on the ground, and he thought the matter should be enquired into. Professor Wilson, Edinburgh, was of opinion that the engine was not suitable >for the purpose.

After some further conversation the following resolution was adopted, on the -motion of the Duke of Buccleuch: — " That the special committee on steam •cultivation be renewed, and that the -question of double-furrow ploughs drawn by Thomson's indiarubber tire-wheeled •engines be considered ; and that the committee also take into their consideration generally the T subject of cultivation by «team." : .'