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Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 67, 7 August 1878, Page 2

Mr Alex. Kclman, Geraldine Road, lost two valuable horses last week through their getting at some bag-! of wheat during the night. Every effort to save their lives proved unavailing. ’ Mr Kclman estimates his loss at £l2O to £l3O. , In our last issue we gave a short de. scription of a new hotel about to he built by Mr Tombs. We have been requested to correct an error in that description. The dimensions of the building are to ho 01 feet by 39 feet 6 inches, not as previously given by us, from numbeis marked on the plans.

Our report of the meeting of the Tomuka Road Board is, wo regret, not so full and complete as we could have wished, considering the interest attaching to several of the matters discussed at the meeting. We are indebted to the courtesy of Mr W. 'Wills for much that we do present to our readers.

Messrs Reid and Gray are now making a yery useful combined double-furrow and subsoil plough. It has a framing similar to that of the ordinary doublefurrow plough. The double-furrow plough is converted into a single furrow and subsoiier by taking the off-side plough from the frame and attaching a strung scufiler tine in its place. By this arraugenu ut of the subsoilei, the furrow-horse docs not walk upon the loosened subsoil, but has as good a footing as usual, and the stirred subsoil itself is not trodden down. Sp 'along of this implement the ‘ Witness says . ino good effects of subsoil ploughing are so well known that it will he needless lo say much upon the subject. Some experienced cultivators assert that one-half cu tivated on the deep principle would pay better than (he whole of the usual area upon the shadow system, dhis may he true in regal'd to some localities. l>y subsoil ploughing, a lifting of the entile furrow 7 , so as to bring the raw subsoil to the surface,- is not meant, but a rippingup and general pulverisation of the under soil without displacing the surface mould. This kind of deep culture, which admits the air to the subsoil and ameliorates it, w’hile it allows moisture to penetrate for future use, and permits the roots to descend for fresh food, is host accomplished by the use of the combined plough and subsoilei*. Tor the working of it, little more horse-power is required than for working the ordinary doublefurrow plough. A special feature in these excellent implements, which turn the surface furrow tmd deeply stir the subsoil in one operation, is that the furrow horse does not require to walk on the stirred subsoil. There are two important points in connection with this feature, namely—the ease to the horse and -the leaving of the bottom of the furrow loose, untrodden, and free from the hard load-like effects which result from the pressure of the ordinary plough sole. By means such as these the advantages of deep culture are within the reach of our' agriculturists, and with better prospects of profit than can he reasonably expected from the system of shallow surface-ploughing. This implement will undoubtedly come into general use when its advantages become known. Messrs Keid and Gray have made over 60 this season, and have some orders still in hand. We understand this implement can bo changed in a few minutes into the ordinary double-furrow plough or vice versa.