The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-11-24
TRIAL OF STEAM PLOWS AT DE-
CATUR.
DECATUR, H., Nov. 10, 1858.

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most unfavorable character for the trial of
the Steam Plow.' Raining and showing
at turns, it kept up a continuous drizzle,
wetting the spectators and making the
ground so slippery that it was difficult to
move the steam plow over the ground, to
say nothing about blowing. The plows
expected were one from Dayton, Ohio,
said to weigh seventeen ton, one from Troy
New York, one from Delaware, and one
from Pennsylvania, but with the exception
of the latter they failed to come to time.
The one at Dayton was reported failure,
not being able to move itself on the paved
streets. The one at Troy was not ready,
ard of the other we could not obtain even
flying report. ... LIKE.
"TAwKE's STEAM PLow," ..
Being the one exhibited at Centralia,
was on the ground, and at O'Clock, A.
M, was fired up. The ground first Sc
lected was near the depot; it had been
cornfelG, but the demand for paper city
lots was too great to allow of its being put
to useful purposes, and it was Autographed
and turned into the commons, and is now
very we'll set with white clover, blue and
herd grass, which is close grazed, present
ing an uneven surface of corn hills, but
otherwise in excellent condition foy break
ing up with the usual teams, but the con-
stant rain had made the ground too soft
and slippery for the heavy ergine to read
lily pass over it, its motion was therefore
slow, showing to disadvantage. The
surface is somewhat rolling, and at the
south end presenting rather sharp grade
yet the engine drew six plows, cutting
foot each, through this sod, while at the
same time, they would not scour, not be-
ing adapted to this soil, having been made
in Boston shop, more for the purpose of
selling than of breaking up an Illinois pas
ture. -st..
In justice to these piows they have CIV
en- satisfaction at Centralia on the lime
and drift of that section. but nothing short
Of our own steel clippers will answer in the
argiUo calcarous soil of Central Illinois.
Had set Mr. Decress Moline's cast steel
plows been attached, we cannot doubt but
this plowing would have been done with
perfect case and to the entire satisfaction
of all In addition TO this no cutters were
provided, which added to the difficulty
No farmer would have put his plow into
this sod without good wheel cutter, and
we were surprised at the oversight. But
Mr.. Fawks was not acquainted with the
several varieties of our Illinois lands, and
very naturally concluded that the prairie
at Centralia was q fair sample of the whole.
He too late discovered his error, very much
to his regret. a-f
The burrows plowed were one fourth of
mile in length. three bouts making an
acre. The bouts were done in ten and
a half minutes each, but the constant slip
ping of the large drum on the wet sod,
materially lessened his speed, added to
which the wood was soaked with water,
and it was with some difficulty steam could
be kept up. With dry bottom, suitable
plows aud good fuel, two acres per hour
may not be considered an over estimate
of fair average work liz prairie breaking,
with eighty pounds of steam, but with
these plows, which dragged like SO many
anchors, one hundred pounds were used.
In the aftern oon his plowship was driv-
en- to stubble field nearly mile distant.
This was very soft from the long rainy
spell of the past three weeks, and besides
was blessed with heavy growth of tickle
or furz grass and other autumn weeds,
which the plowmen hold in such 6esta-
ton. These were how wet with the melt
ing snow and ready to wind up and clog
the plows. a :s a
The engine proved its ability to travel
over this field, 10y going nearly half a mile
and returning. At this time the snow
had changed to dreadful rain, and the
spectators broke for shelter, and thus end
ed the days trial. g..
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