Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-11-12
The Steam FloW Triumphant.
Anxious farmers have long await,

Anxious farmers nave long awaited
the advent OF useful steam plow.
France, England, Scotland, Canada,
and the United States, have each pro-
duccd steam apparatus for plowing.
The Illinois State Board Of Agri-
culture perceived the immense value
Of steam plows in that state, where
immense stretches Of rich level lands
arc to be titled. \ reward Of $4,000
was offered for o steam plow which
would successfully turn the soil. At
4 recent trial, three new plows were
expected. One was presented by @
Mr.. Fawkes, from Lancaster, Pa.
The whole apparatus, with fuel and
water, weighs but seven tons. 1t has
a barrel:shapel driver to carry for
ward the machine, with two guiding
wheels, and neither slips on hard,
smooth ground, or mires in sofs soils.
The Aicqgo Press speaks thus enthu-
siastically Of the performance
1t draws six plows, cutting a foo.
each, attached in frame, and so reg
ulated by spiral springs that they
yield to any extraordinary obstruc-
ton. As there was no stubble md
near. it was concluded to make trial
on the unbroken prairie This was
now baked so hard By drouth that
prairie-baking plows would not run
in it, and the trial of sod plows was
abandoned in consequence. Notwith-
standing this fact, the inventor was
so confident of success that he gave
the order to put the plows to work in
this almost impervious soil. After q
little delay in regulating to this brick
lifAL foIL,, TIC Gu9Int uUIeu Iur-
ward, when six furrows were turned
side by side, in the most workmanlike
manner. The excitemento the crowd
was beyond control, and their shouts
and wild huzzas echoed far over the
prairie, as there beneath the smiling
Autumn sun lay the first furrow
turned by steam on the broad prai-
ries OF the mighty West.
THE goal was won. Steam had
conquered the face of nature, and the
steam-plow had become q fact; it
was working over the rich, rolling
prairies Of Egypt and turning up
its wealth of nutritious elements for
the growth Of the cereal and pomo-
nal products-selfmoving, and con-
tanning q power unequalled to turn
up the lower strata of soil, so rich in
potash, in phosphates. in silica and
other essential elements Of vegetable
growth. The long line Of matchless
furrows parted the crowd, and lay
between the moving masses Ike q
line of silver wovc in the gray setting
Of the prairie. Amid the excitement
the inventor remained calm it was
enough for him to hear the glad
shouts Of victory which rant the air
for this he had toiled for this his
hands had become hardened and his
face made swarthy over the glowing
iron ont Of which he forged the mus
cles his iron steed Of the prairicz.
Mr.. Fawkes and others were called
out by the crowd, and made brief
speeches. Mr.. Coleman, member
of the Board, spoke Of the success of
the steam-plow now witnessed, as
marking a new era in the worlds
progress, and declared that the great
enterprise of Fawkes may be placed
side by side with the steam engine,
the steamboat, the locomotive, the
cotton gin, and the telegraph. After
the speaking, Tie Press says:
The engine again moved forward.
when the plows turned up the ioos-
mud drJi of Egypt, laying six furrows
side-by-side with the most perfect
ease and in the most workmanlike
manner. The consumption of fuel
and water was very moderate. That
the engine is a complete success there
can be no doubt, and all that is now
wanting is to demonstrate that, ta-
king the whole expense into consid
Grafton, it is cheaper than horse pow
er. If this is answered in the affirm
ative, it will produce the greatest
revolution in agricultural progress
that We have yet seen ; it will tako
another wrinkle from the brow of Ia
bor, and give to the toiling million
lighter tasks to perfO'm.'