THE STEAM PLOUGH.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1308, 29 May 1878, Page 3

THE STEAM PLOUGH.

The public trial of John Fowler and Co.’s steam plough took place yesterday on the farm of Mr F. B. Passmore, Chorbey, and the result was eminently satisfactory. A full account of this steam driven plough appeared in a recent issue, and it now only remains to chronicle the result of the public trial of the implement in question. A large party, among whom were Sir Thos. Tancred, Mccprs John Anderson, W. A. Brown, C. Coster, Morrow, Marcroft, J. C. VVason, Wostenra, Kiver, McMillan, Winter, Bruce, Povaux, P. Lawrie, Bateman, Sutherland, Wood, Watt, Page, S. Manning,' W. Aikin, (lalclwell, and other persons practically interested iu testing the capability of the steam plough, from 'Cfiristplnipph and the various pav v S of the district, afriyed ap Sherwood, where the trial was ter take place, at an .early hom? yestprday. By twelve o’clock there could not have been loss than fiOO persons present. So much commendation has been given to the steam plough, both in England and elsewhere, that great results were anticipated, and it is fair to say that its capability has by no means been over-rated. Mr Passmore’s farm is composed of some of the stoniest surfaced land that it is possible

to find on the whole of the Canterbury Plains, and that portion of the land which was broken up yesterday may, without any exaggeration, be said to be fairly macadamised, so completely and firmly wore the stones embedded in the surface. Nevertheless the power with which the plough was driven furrowed it as thoroughly and completely as if the land had been the softest that could be selected. The two powerful traction engines of 14 h.p. each, were placed a distance of 3GO yards apart, and alternately drew the plough to cither end by means of a steel rope, coiled on the drum of each engine, one engine paying out, the other coiling in. The time occupied from set-in to set-in was about seven minutes, or equal in actual work to the breaking up of an acre of land in three-quarters of an hour. A fair computation of the average work the steam plough is capable of accomplishing, oven on such uncompromising ground as the trial was made on, is about twelve acres per day of eight and a half hours’ labour. The plough in question is a five-furrowed one, and cuts a furrow from 6 to 7in. deep and 12in. wide. It will thus bo seen that in every journey it makes a strip of land five feet in width is broken up and pulverised more completely than could be possibly accomplished by horse ploughing. Indeed it is the opinion of competent judges that on such a strong surface a single furrow plough drawn by a team of throe horses could scarcely do more than skim the surface, much less break up the soil. The advantage of this plough will bo more apparent when it is borne in mind that to cut a furrow seven inches deep on such land would require at least four horses.

The results above mentioned arc the more satisfactory w'hen the hardness of the soil from the unusually dry season lately experienced is taken into consideration. Were the soil moist and in fitter condition for ploughing, still better work could bo done. The consumption of coal for one day is 15 owt., and the boiler constantly supplied requires 1200 gallons of water for the same time. Of course in estimating the advantages of the new implement, the cost of working it, as contrasted with horse ploughing, must be taken into consideration. The services of four men are required when the plough is at work. One at each engine, one ;;to guide the plough, and one to cart water. Where the land is extra difficult to break up, as in the case of Mr Passmore’s property, a fifth man is required to give additional steadiness to the plough. The total cost of the plant, including engines, plough, winding gear, harrows, roller, and water cart, is £I9OO in England, at the Messrs Fowler’s works, or delivered in the colony, in perfect working order, about £2300.

Of course for lighter work engines of less power, and a lighter plough at less cost, can be used, the smallest sized engines being catalogued at 6 h.p., and the price lower in proportion. An eye witness of the work done on Mr Passmore’s farm could come to but one conclusion as to the great utility of the implement, and the probability (as far as heavy work is concerned) of its revolutionising tillage in Canterbury, and opening up thousands of acres of excellent land hitherto unatternpted by agriculturists from its sterile appearance. Before concluding this description, a few words must be said on Mr Passmore’s enterprise. That gentleman, with his nephew, Mr Owen, took possession of the farm, consisting of 2680 acres, in June last, residing in a tent while the homestead was being built. Since September, a complete transformation of the locality has taken place, and the land, which was then apparently as barren as Arabia Petrsoa, is now a flourishing little settlement. A commodious and com'ortable family residence, quarters for the men (married and single), a ten-stalled stable, workshop and offices represent some of the work which has been done. A garden and orchard have been laid out and planted—the property being belted with a plantation of young gum trees, two chains wide, and a smaller one of English and other trees encircles the homestead. A well has been sunk to a depth of 220 foot, from which water is raked by means of a whip, but this comparatively primitive arrangement will in a short time be superseded by a windmill which Mr Passmore has ordered from America, capable of raising 300 gallons of water an hour.

The whole of the property under notice, with its improvements, represents a large amount of capital, and exhibits not only its owner’s enterprise but his practical knowledge as a far-seeing agriculturist. There is no reason to doubt that the example set by Mr Passmore will be followed by other capitalists, and be the moans of largely adding to the agricultural and farming prosperity of the province of Canterbury. A gala appearance was given to the proceedings yesterday by the engines being decorated with flags bearing devices complimentary to Mr Passmore and his family, while the plough was surrounded by a streamer bearing the legend, “ God speed the steam plough.” The numerous guests were hospitably entertained during the day by the owner of the land, who, together with Mr Noakes, the obliging representative of the Messrs Fowler and Co., were eager to give anyone interested in the proceedings all the information in their power."