FOWLER'S STEAM PLOUGH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1382, 25 May 1878, Page 20

FOWLER'S STEAM PLOUGH.

Wo have received from Messrs Brodrick and Carter, agricultural implement agents, a descriptive catalogue of Fowler's patent agricultural steam machinery. It appears that Messrs Fowler and Co. now manufacture three different systems of steamplouGfhing machine^. The following is a description of No. 1, which ia the system recommended for letting out for hire, and which would undoubtedly pay well in New Zealand :—: —

Under this system, 'two windings are worked on opposite head-lands, and each alternately draws the implement towards itself, tho engine not in work paying out the rope while moving forward into position for tho return journey. Any kind of implement may be used. One of the principal advantages of this system is the facility with- which the machine is set to work and Liken up. Tho engines are ready to start into a fresh field the moment they stop work, and can removo themselves and the whole apparatus without any additional manual or animal labour. Where fields are small or very irregular, or where, a3 in foreign countries, the steam plough cannot depend on any prompt assistance for removals ; or where the distance between the fields is considerable, this tractive power is of great importance. A further advantage of this system is the possibility of using implements of large size which cannot be moved from field, to field by any apparatus not sclfmoving. For the cultivation of light land, which, in an economical point of view, is only practicable by employing implements of very great breadth, thio

Bystem is invaluable ; the fact that frdta 30 to 50 acres of regular work can be done daily on light soils, at once establishes its superiority over any other clasa. ''of machinery for that purpose. One chief advantage of using steam in cultivation is, that it renders the farmer comparatively independent of- labour ; at all times he has an enormous power at his command on a moment's notice, and is thus able to deal with the land when in a proper state for cultivation ; when the ordinary operations of breaking ' up are done at the proper season, it willbe' found that no mechanical pulverisation is required. <■ Aeration of the soil is one of the principal) objects of cultivation, and the rapid motion of the steam-driving implement tears and breaks up the land' so that it remains in a loose, rough state, and the atmosphere acting upon the subsoil as well as on the upper part of the staple, permanently raises the temperature, pulverises the whole by degrees, and thoroughly prepares it for the reception of the seed. All injurious treading by animals is avoided, and the rain and the roots of plants can readily penetrate to the subsoil. In estimating the expense of steam cultivation, few justly appreciate th'o great change that it effects in the'charaoter of the soil, both as regards the drainage and the cost of after-tillage. When land has been thoroughly broken up^by steam, every succeeding operation inquires leas power; and the 1 experience of those who have used steam proves 1 that one-half only of the usual operations is. required.